Many container gardens are planted like a small-scale flower border, with tall plants in the background, lower ones in front, medium growers to fill in between. It's important here to avoid a hodgepodge of too many different varieties without restricting the choice so severely that the result is monotonous.
This is a matter of good taste and artistry in the use of complementary or contrasting colors, blending and overlapping textures, the placement of accent plants. For safety's sake, restraint and moderation will give a restful effect. For the sake of originality and style, experiments with unusual combinations and out-of-the-ordinary plants offer exciting rewards.
Vines can be used liberally in combination with upright plants of all types. The only limitation is that all plants must have compatible cultural requirements. Don't combine shade-loving foliage vines with flowering sun-worshipers, plants that need constant moisture with those that prefer to grow dry, tropical varieties with cool-growing types. And don't crowd the planting - allow plenty of space for each plant to mature at its most beautiful and best.
Supports for Vines in Containers
Vines in permanent planters against a house or other wall may climb by clinging rootlets or adhesive discs, or may need some sort of light trellis or latticework around which to curl tendrils or stems.
But in mobile containers, the supports become part of the over-all design. These, too, may be light trellises, which should be firmly anchored in the soil or fastened to the sides of the containers. These supports are usually more functional than decorative and are kept subordinate in interest.
Trellis like supports can also be fashioned from strong, long-lasting cord or plastic clothesline. Wire is more permanent, but should not be used where the sun will heat it so that it burns stems and leaves. The cord, line, or wire is strung between eyelets or hooks on the inside of a square, oblong, triangular, hexagonal, or other geometric frame - even a hoop. Pipe can be used for the frame, and the line wrapped around it at intervals.
Lines can also be strung from the top of a sturdy post or pipe in the center of the container to evenly spaced intervals around the edge; or from a horizontal bar above the container to the edge below. Or, zigzag the line between upright stakes or poles at either side of the container. Any number of different designs are suitable for various plant and container combinations like decorative plant pots.
Lightweight pipe or wood can be bent into a formal espalier-type support. Bamboo or other stakes can be stuck into the soil inside the edge of the container, and tied together at the top to make a tree-shaped support. Small pillars and poles can be used to display specimen vines. Interesting tree branches or branching trunks can be used for an informal effect. Choice of support, again, depends on the vine and its container and the type of decoration both are intended to execute. - 33393
This is a matter of good taste and artistry in the use of complementary or contrasting colors, blending and overlapping textures, the placement of accent plants. For safety's sake, restraint and moderation will give a restful effect. For the sake of originality and style, experiments with unusual combinations and out-of-the-ordinary plants offer exciting rewards.
Vines can be used liberally in combination with upright plants of all types. The only limitation is that all plants must have compatible cultural requirements. Don't combine shade-loving foliage vines with flowering sun-worshipers, plants that need constant moisture with those that prefer to grow dry, tropical varieties with cool-growing types. And don't crowd the planting - allow plenty of space for each plant to mature at its most beautiful and best.
Supports for Vines in Containers
Vines in permanent planters against a house or other wall may climb by clinging rootlets or adhesive discs, or may need some sort of light trellis or latticework around which to curl tendrils or stems.
But in mobile containers, the supports become part of the over-all design. These, too, may be light trellises, which should be firmly anchored in the soil or fastened to the sides of the containers. These supports are usually more functional than decorative and are kept subordinate in interest.
Trellis like supports can also be fashioned from strong, long-lasting cord or plastic clothesline. Wire is more permanent, but should not be used where the sun will heat it so that it burns stems and leaves. The cord, line, or wire is strung between eyelets or hooks on the inside of a square, oblong, triangular, hexagonal, or other geometric frame - even a hoop. Pipe can be used for the frame, and the line wrapped around it at intervals.
Lines can also be strung from the top of a sturdy post or pipe in the center of the container to evenly spaced intervals around the edge; or from a horizontal bar above the container to the edge below. Or, zigzag the line between upright stakes or poles at either side of the container. Any number of different designs are suitable for various plant and container combinations like decorative plant pots.
Lightweight pipe or wood can be bent into a formal espalier-type support. Bamboo or other stakes can be stuck into the soil inside the edge of the container, and tied together at the top to make a tree-shaped support. Small pillars and poles can be used to display specimen vines. Interesting tree branches or branching trunks can be used for an informal effect. Choice of support, again, depends on the vine and its container and the type of decoration both are intended to execute. - 33393
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