When crafting a landscape design, landscape designers often forget about a small but crucial element: potted plants. We have found however that potted plants help to create a soft look on concrete and stone patios, picnic areas, and around the pool. Stone landscapes cry out to be offset by softer elements like willowy grasses and delicate flowers – a complementary look that can give your landscape a yin/yang effect. At GreenPro, our experts can help you determine the type of plants to be potted, how to properly add irrigation for self-watering, and selecting the best container for the area.
The Container
When potting your plants, it’s first important to consider if these will be stationary plants, or if you’ll want to move them around your property, which will determine what material the container is made of: clay or plastic. Clay pots are heavier and used for more stationary positions; by contrast, plastic pots – though less durable – offer easier mobility when moving plants from location to location. Additionally, bigger pots provide an artistic impact and won’t dry out as quickly.
Another key element to consider in the container is color. How does this pot’s color fit into your overall design scheme? Do you want a pot that can fit with your pool’s aquamarine vibe? Does your property reflect an Americana/red, white and blue color scheme? The trend most recently has moved towards a classic, monochromatic, black, and/or white color style. Regardless of color, homeowners and landscape designers need to make sure that every container has proper drainage; as a result, a hole needs to exist at the bottom to prevent rotting.
Irrigation
Before adding potted plants to your landscape design, you should make sure that your property has proper irrigation. Drip lines are recommended; GreenPro can insist on installation or extension of lines to ensure that all plants receive proper attention. (No one wants to hand water potted plants littered around your property!) GreenPro can not only install irrigation but can ensure hidden lines so that your property is not overrun by visible hoses and water lines. (Drip lines can also work effectively with properly-potted plants that have holes in the base.)
Proper testing of each drip line once plants have been added will ensure that once potted, plants will receive proper irrigation. (You don’t want to overwater your plants, just as you don’t want to underwater them!) Knowing when to irrigate is also important; many homeowners water their lawns and plants in the heat of the day when it is wiser to water your property in the early morning hours. (Some homeowners water in the evening, which is just throwing out the welcome mat for unwanted pests!)
Types of Plants
When considering curating a container of plants, it’s important to keep in mind the varying height and contrasting colors, as well as the distinction between plants that grow upright versus plants that grow downward. Ivy is always an easy favorite to create a romantic cascade; tulips, primroses, clematis, and busy lilies are all beautiful options for flowering plants. Maybe even a variation of ivy, grass, and the flowering plant would make a perfect arrangement for your landscape design. Additionally, fountain grass makes a dramatic statement and can be planted with other flowers or alone as a showstopper. Just make sure to protect this plant from winter frost! Hostas are another example of standalone plants that don’t require a lot of attention and, with proper watering, can become full and vibrant.
If you need help coming up with ideas or approaching the installation of the right combination of pots and plants, GreenPro is happy to assist! Give us a call – our friendly and knowledgeable staff can easily help point you in the right direction!