I have two low bowl pots (about 24" in width, 12' high). What should I plant to get color?

I am looking for some exact guidance on what to plant. They get lots of sun in the afternoon, shade in the morning. They are going to sit on top of pilasters in front of my new mediterranean home. The pot color is medium brown.

I have two low bowl pots (about 24" in width, 12' high). What should I plant to get color?
In planning containers it is important to use a variety of flower shapes and habits for interest. I'm not sure what colors you prefer but I'll offer some suggestions that have worked well for me. I like to have something tall and kind of spiky or flame like surrounded by a round flowered full plant and finished off with a trailer or two.





One nice plant for the spikers is annual salvia. This plant comes in several forms and many colors. I love both the Sizzler series and the Victoria Blue which truly is blue. Another good, flame like annual for containers is the plume type celosia which comes in pinks, reds, oranges and yellows. Snapdragons are also beautiful here. For the round flowers, zinnias, marigolds, moss roses, and annual dianthus or dwarf phlox are all nice.


Nasturtiums, bacopa, sweet potato vine, wave petunias and ivy geranium all make great trailers.


Last summer I had showstopping kettles with the blue salvia, mixed marigolds in a shorter variety and moss roses around the edge, interspersed with trailing nasturtiums. The color mix was stunning and it bloomed ceaselessly. I suggest planting the salvia densely and close together so it can make a block of blueness. I always plant containers very thickly and take the time to keep them fed and watered. There is nothing sadder looking than a thin and stingy pot. I also had hanging baskets with the plume celosia in gold surrounded by mixed color dianthus and finished with the Aurea (golden) sweet potato vine and a wave petunia. They were very flashy!


This is a personal prejudice of mine and I mean no offense to those who enjoy it, but I have to mention that if I never saw another container planted with a spike, a red geranium (pelargonium) and a vinca vine I would die happy. Vinca vines can be lovely, as can geraniums but this combination is hopelessly overused and it is so easy to plant a much more interesting container.


I hope this is helpful to you. If you want more specifics or want to talk color or anything else please fell free to email me. I love planting containers and never seem to have enough of my own. They're great because each one is like its own little garden design.
Reply:Trailing Geraniums would look nice





http://images.google.com/images?q=traili...
Reply:hi, maybe plant some herbs, they would be happy in pots, maybe tri-colour sage and majoram, cheap to buy and would be useful too! most herbs flower!