Container Garden Inspiration and Recipes #2

by Lynn @ Nourish and Nestle

I am continuing my quest to document Container Garden Recipes as I come across them. I’m beginning to think of myself as the Julia Childs of Container Gardens. Now I just need to get her accent down and I’ll be all set.But seriously, if you are like me the warming of temperatures naturally forces your mind to consider how you will create your container gardens for this spring and summer, among other spring-y type considerations.This is the third post I’ve done over the year showing some Container Garden Inspiration and Recipes. Pop over here and here to see the first two.Full disclaimer: I am not even close to a horticulturalist…so…I can’t claim that I’m 100% accurate of my identification of these plants. However, I do think I came pretty close to get the desired effect, which is all I’m really after anyway.

This first pot includes some of my go-to plants and is great in a partly shady area. I love the contrast of the dark and moody blacks against the almost electric greens.

Black Elephant Ears, Wasabi or Green Lantern Coleus, Coral Rose Diascia, Black Magic Coleus and Marguerite Sweet Potato Vine

container garden inspiration and recipes 2

This long planter box, with it’s softer and less dramatic plant colors and textures, is perfect against the stone of this home.

Dusty Miller Silver Dust, Alternanthera ‘Cognac’, Petite Licorice Plant, Serena Purple Angelonia and Purple Verbena

In homage to Prince and any other Purple-lovers out there…this pot will do well in most light situations, from partial shade to full-sun.

Strobilanthes -Persian Shield, Oxalis ‘Charmed Wine’, Ragtime Sweet Potato Vine

You can never go wrong with Classic Red Geraniums and Variegated Vinca Vines. It surely doesn’t hurt to have a rusty bike and a brooding bust in the background either!

I like the contrast in this urn between the soft pinks and gray/greens against the dark sweet potato vine and sedum.

Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea Batatas) , Coral Rose Diascia, American Pink Geranium, Helichrysum petiolare ‘White Licorice’, Gaura, Lobelia and Sedum, Burgundy variety

And for just the right spot, this flower-filled wagon is full of fun and whimsy.

Lobelia, Rose and Red Verbena, Marigolds, Salvia and Creeping Jenny

HELPFUL HINT: IF YOU HAVE REALLY LARGE POTS, CONSIDER FILLING AT LEAST A QUARTER OF THE WAY WITH GRAVEL OR BRICKS IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO MOVE THE POT. IF YOU NEED YOUR POT TO BE LIGHTER, CONSIDER EMPTY WATER BOTTLES WITH THE LIDS ON, STYROFOAM OR EMPTY PLASTIC POTS.Have you started planning out your Container Gardens for this spring and summer? Do you have some favorite recipes? If so, do tell!