A “How To” on Summer Mixed Container Design

Added on:  July 14, 2015 @ 4:16 pm

Written and Photographed by Caroline Martin

Susan Frakes is one of Strange’s Certified Virginia Horticulturists.  She has the artistic eye when it comes to putting together just the right kinds of plants for beautiful and eye-catching mixed container arrangements.  She shows us step-by-step how to create mixed container arrangements that will suit your fancy.  Whether you are trying to find arrangements that match your house color, bring a pop to your decor or just need something that looks great without all the work, Susan can help you design an arrangement that meets your needs and taste!

First, choose the size pot that you would like to use.  Susan suggests a 12″ or 14″ with a hole for drainage.  Then, choose a nutrient soil.  We suggest Strange’s Professional Potting Mix.  She recommends adding a fertilizer to the soil during this step, such as Osmocote.

Next, choose the flowers and plants that you would like to use in your mixed pot.  Make sure that all plants in your pot are similar as far as the sun exposure that they need.  For example, plants should be either all “full sun” (this includes exclusively afternoon sun as well), “morning sun”, or “shade”.

For this arrangement, Susan chose 7 plants, including: Dusty Miller, Pentas, Lantana, Scaevola, Heuchera, Asparagus Fern and Coleus.

First, Susan puts in the “Height” plants.  These are the taller of the selection of plants that form the main shape of the arrangement.  These plants go into the middle.  In this arrangement, Susan used Dusty Miller and Pentas for “Height” plants.

She then adds the “Filler” plants that add some volume to the arrangement.  She carefully clips any dead leaves or buds off of these to ensure a fresh and healthy arrangement.  In this arrangement, Susan used Lantana, Asparagus Fern, Heuchera and Coleus as “Filler” plants.

The “Filler” plants are planted near the edges of the pot walls, but not too close, to leave room for the “Spillers”.

Next, Susan adds in the “Spiller” plants.  These plants are called “Spiller” because they spill over the sides of the pot.  These add dimension to the arrangement, which draws your eye up and down in a pleasing way.  Susan used Scaevola as a “Spiller” plant for this arrangement.

When finished, you have an attractive new mixed arrangement that is great for sprucing up a patio, adding appeal to a front entrance way or just placed in a yard to add a pop of color.  There are endless ways of creating mixed container arrangements.  It is up to you whether you prefer something bold or something more neutral to match your decor.  Let us know what you envision and we can help you bring your idea to life.  Susan is always making arrangements that are new and unique as well.  Find her arrangements in our greenhouse at Strange’s West Broad!

To maintain your beautiful new arrangement, make sure to keep your plants fertilized, well drained and watered and allow them the appropriate amount of sunlight.  Here is the soil and fertilizer that we recommend:  Ferti-lome Blooming and Rooting should be used throughout the summer on your arrangement, according to instructions.

Happy planting!