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I painted all the flower pots except the ones on the very top deck because they were in good shape and really pretty. ***We are having my son's graduation party here at the end of June and I want it to look really good.

Hopefully, we will be moving our dining table to the center of the lower deck in the next few weeks.

I NEED HELP with the containers on the ends of the benches. I have two purple fountain grass and was planning to get 2 more so all 4 would match. What else should I add to those containers? It's too much red.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Forensicmom,

I put these containers here a few years ago to prevent people from falling off that ledge. That's "supposed" to be our hot tub area but the deck is 13 years old and still no hot tub.
I want to get my dad (a bricklayer) to build us some type of brick oven/grill area there but that's in the future.

I have red double knockout roses in the ends and need something for the small one in the center. Also any other suggestions on arrangements would be VERY welcome.

These planters are filled with a few things but I might add more. The one broke, so there is only 2 tiers. Does it look OK having one 3 tier and one 2 tier?

Another spot I need help with is this daylilly area. I wanted to put some type of pillar or stand and have a container on top but I can't find anything that will work.

SO, what do you think about attaching a hook on the fence and hanging a large hanging basket there?

Two more, I promise.

This is my fountain area, although the fountain is still not up and running. The roses are amazing right now and so is the purple 'polish spirit' clematis. I also have variegated japanese iris that aren't blooming yet.

I want some type of low growing plant to fill in this empty spot. I have tried petunias, verbena, and new guinea impatiens. I would REALLY like to try some type of perennial. Can anyone suggest anything for my zone and that can stand being wet, since the fountain splashes?

Last one. This is my upper deck. All I have here is that one chair and my only container with herbs. Even when I get the new patio furniture (hopefully next month) this area will still be like this. I can't think of anything else to make it look nice.

ANY HELP???

Have you tried liriope near your fountain? It looks like you already have that unless it's something else variegated.
I have that around my birdbath and it gets wet a lot but seems to do fine.
Here's some other ideas
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1332/#b

hanging pots can get very heavy, so if you hang it on a fence hook, it may damage the fence without some reinforcement. maybe use a taller plant stand to place a pot in back of your border?

For you red fountain grass pots, try something like a variegated swedish ivy or licorice plant, or for blooms, some white or blue scaveola fanflower, bacopa, or diamond frost euphorbia for some flowers or even a lime green or non-purple sweet potato vine.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jvelo,

Jvelo - There are variegated iris', so I wanted to use something other then spiky plants. I love the idea of using the swedish ivy or licorice plant with the purple fountain grass. I like the idea of something like colored b/c of the color of the pots. Diamond frost euphorbia are also really dainty looking.

How about some pentas or lantana in the longer pot between the roses...it looks like a hot sunny area and they can take that along with attracting some butterflies.

The euphorbia is kind of dainty but I wish I could find it in my garden centers. I only found it one year and liked it. I still see it in the Proven Winners catalog, so maybe this year it will be back. I also liked the King Tut papyrus that I found that year and put it in my water garden. Also useful in a pot or ground near wetter areas.

I like the suggestions Jvelo gave you. How about some yellows and perhaps blues in the pots. Yellow gerbers, blue supertunias that would trail...mixed with the yellow sp vine, it would balance out the reds. Plus, I like bright primary colors. Ditto about the diamond frost...I overwinter mine and I've divided one pot into 3 over the years. A splash of white thrown it will tone done the primaries.

Listen to me, the one who cannot get a good looking pot for the life of me! but I can tell you what I think looks good.

Regarding your little deck area...have you considered a small round table? Do you have an electrical outlet nearby? If so, get a small lamp, a few dodads and make a little vignette between the chair and the herb pot. A little tea pot w/cup and saucer, maybe with a herb motif would look adorable on the table...and be sure it has some yellow in it, to pick up the yellow in the pot.

Overall, I love your deck...I know you have visions of beautiful overflowing containers...which will make it even more welcoming.

ve

Here's a quote about container gardening that has helped me plan mine: "Typically, container gardening is planned following three design elements: thrill, fill and spill. The thrill provides height, fill are middle height, usually bushy plants and the spill specimens trail over the side of the container."

Personally since I am very visual I need to see pics to plan my containers and get lots of ideas here.

I love red in containers as it's a color that draws the eye. Other colors to add IMO depend on the colors you have in your landscape in plants/flowers as well as the colors of your house and hardscape. Your house is neutral but the blue color of your pool surround really stands out so you might add blue. Red, white, and blue has always been a really good combo.

Instead of a planter behind your daylilies you could hang some decorative accent on the fence. Some ideas are a metal grill, a star, a sign, or a mirror - there are lots of things available as garden accents.

Would you consider hanging some window boxes on the railings on your upper deck? They'd look great from on the deck as well as below especially if you did some trailing plants. I've also seen red amaranth in railing boxes which looked fantastic.

I like Vera Ellen's idea of decorating a small table. Don't only depend on plants to decorate your deck, patio, or yard as there are many other things that look great. Do you have any statuary? Always adds interest to a garden.

I usually have way too many ideas when I go to buy my container plants and have to restrain myself from buying too many. Seldom works but the excess go in the garden! Petunias are one of my standby's as I love them but I also try to get different plants and color combos every year.

Edited to add: Don't forget about using herbs in containers. They can add interesting foliage and be used in cooking. I often do one container with only herbs. Perhaps that would work somewhere near a door near your kitchen?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joyluck,

I would use a shepard's hook with a hanging plant over by the lillies. I do this a lot to fill in vertical space.

How about some canna in the red pots. You can "fill" with mullion bells and "spill" with some potato vine. I like the idea of the small table and chairs too.

I love your yard, BTW!

Lots of good ideas on how to help spruce things up.

As for the tiered planters, it is fine to use them both. However, I'd switch the 3 tier to the other side of the steps and put the 2 tier in its place. The taller tier will help balance out the taller shrubbery on the other side.

I also try the Proven Winners website for combinations. We use shepherd hooks among our daylilies. It would be nice to have something on the fence but the weight would probably damage it. Sweet potato vine sounds nice. I've noticed a lot of containers using red, purple and apricot in my area this year.

Thanks everyone. I decided to move a shepherd's hook with a bird feeder on it in the lily patch and I really like it. I was afraid to hang a basket since last time, the basket got too heavy and fell over. It's raining today but I plan to take a picture of that and the containers that I filled with some flowers I got yesterday for Mother's Day. It's coming together.

I can see a large concrete statue in that spot by the pool, or a gazing ball on a stand. That would fill in that area and look so nice.

For the herbs, I could see a grouping of pots (one large, then a medium and a smaller one). You could put in some rosemary. That is so easy to grow in pots, and add some other herbs you will use. Maybe some mint for tea.

For that area you want a low growing plant that can take water, maybe a sedum? I'm trying to think because I have a large area with poor drainage and it's hard because things don't do well. What is doing well over there are my daylilies and autumn joy sedum (which is not a low ground cover but maybe another sedum would do ok). Oh, ajuga is supposed to do well in moisture, I believe.

Sweet potato vine in the pots is a good idea. The yellow-green would really pot against the purple. I'd add that and maybe some light pink calabrochea (sp?).

By the way, you have a great looking yard and it's going to be even more fabulous when you finish your projects. What a great space for a party!

You have a very nice patio/pool area! Love the deck.
I received this ideabook from Proven Winners a few months ago. Looks like several of us have! This is the online version, lots of beautiful ideas.

Proven Winners

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zone9alady,

Zone9lady. This is great. thank you so much for sharing. Got some ideas for myself.

I am a big fan of their supertunias. I buy a little 4 inch pot and in 3-4 weeks it fills out my entire windowbox. I am even succesful overwintering them.