Plants Containers at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

RECTANGULAR-SHAPED containers present planting challenges similar to those offered by window-boxes. The difference in siting affects the angle at which they are viewed: some stand at ground level, some are raised on legs and others are set on or against walls. Containers raised on walls or legs offer an opportunity to use trailing plants containers, which are best seen from the sides. Conversely, where containers are mainly seen from above, choose plants containers with bright faces that peer upward. For those at ground level, low-growing herbaceous perennials create attractive features. Most containers have a face side from which they are mainly viewed, but those on the tops of low walls may be viewed from both sides. Always ensure that the most noticeable sides are well-clothed with plants containers; if bare—especially during mid-summer, when plants containers should be drenching troughs in color—they look unattractive and give an air of neglect.

It is important to decide whether to plant for a year-round display or to let the containers remain empty during the winter. Remember that many plants containers which would behardy enough in the ground may succumb to the cold when their roots are raised up in a container open to frosts. Frozen, waterlogged soil can also burst containers as it expands. Conversely, containers in sun can get very hot in summer and your choice of plants containers needs to be governed by this fact: it is all too easy to bake the roots of plants containers. With these practical points in mind, you are free to choose from the range of container gardening styles. Formal courtyards can be graced with potted bays, cypress, camellias or bamboos. In addition, some especially beautiful pots may look best

For healthy plants containers and prolific flowering, make sure your containers get the very best start and use the right type of compost. Keep this well-watered and regularly cut off the dead flowers and weed the containers. Summer-flowering plants containers will need feeding regularly.