RELIABLE CONTAINER
RECIPES
If you’re not yet ready to attempt your own arrangements, you can try a trusty combination like one of the seven dependable container recipes shown here, all approved by the specialist nursery Proven Winners. Remember—the most important thing is to have fun!
1. BUTTERFLY HEAVEN
These blossoms will bring all the butterflies to your yard. The thriller here is a Lo & Behold ‘Lilac Chip’ dwarf butterfly bush ( Buddleia ‘Lilac Chip’), with narrow spikes of intensely fragrant lavender flowers that are irresistible to butterflies. Around this star sit three plants each of Superbena Scarlet Star ( Verbena hybrid), with red flowers, and Superbell White calibrachoa ( Calibrachoa hybrid), with white flowers. Their flowers attract butterflies, too. Note: This arrangement requires a fairly large container— about 60 centimetres in diameter— to support its inhabitants, as the butterfly bush is quite large. This sunloving arrangement is quite drought tolerant, but don’t let it dry out too much too often.
2. PRECIOUS OPAL
This selection is specifically designed for shady locations, as all its plants are comfortable out of direct sunlight. In the centre of a 35-centimetre diameter pot, plant a Pegasus begonia ( Begonia hybrid), with dark green leaves accented with silver markings, as the thriller. Surround it with two Catalina Pink wishbones ( Torenia
‘Catalina Pink’), with two-tone pink flowers; one Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Jet Black sweet potato vine ( Ipomoea batatas), with black heartshaped leaves; and one Colorblaze Newly Noir coleus ( Coleus scutellari
oides) with dark purple leaves. Make sure to keep the soil a little moist.
3. BEACHSIDE DRIVE
Imagine yourself relaxing on a California beach with this sunny container arrangement entirely in hot colours. In the centre of a pot 30 centimetres in diameter, plant a variegated red fountain grass Graceful Grasses ‘Fireworks’ ( Pennisetum
setaceum ‘Rubrum’) with striped green, purple and pink leaves as the thriller. Around it, set two plants of the Superbells Tropical Sunrise calibrachoa ( Calibrachoa hybrid) with yellowstreaked red flowers, two Supertunia Honey petunias ( Petunia hybrid), with variable flowers in yellow, orange, salmon and deep pink, plus one Whirlwind Pink fan flower ( Scaevola aemula) with rich pink flowers. Full sun is best.
4. AMETHYST DREAMS
Perfect for a hanging basket, pedestal planter or even an extra tall pot, this blend exclusively uses trailing plants in cool tones. Simple, yes, but what a beautiful effect it creates! In a 30-centimetre diameter pot, plant two Superbells White calibrachoas ( Calibrachoa hybrid) with white flowers, two Superbells Grape Punch calibrachoas ( Calibrachoa hybrid), purple flowers with dark throat, and two Superbena Sparkling Amethyst verbenas ( Verbena hybrid), purple flowers splashed with lavenderpink and white. It’s a prime choice to add a note of freshness to either a sunny location or one with semi-shade.
5. MAVERICK MOJAVE
Sometimes simple arrangements are simply the best! This mix is an excellent one for a spot so hot and dry that nothing else will grow. In a 30-centimetre diameter planter, blend two plants each of these three purslanes: Mojave Tangerine, Mojave Yellow and Mojave Fuchsia ( Portu
laca umbraticola); the colours correspond with the names. This hottone container marvel prefers full blazing sun, of course!
6. BLIND LOVE
This prettyinpink arrangement is perfect for anyone with a romantic soul. Designed for a 30-centimetre diameter pot, this blend includes one Supertunia Royal Magenta petunia ( Petunia hybrid) with bright purple at its centre; surrounding it are two plants each of Supertunia Lovie Dovie petunia ( Petunia hybrid), which has white flowers with a pink star overlay; and Superbena Whiteout verbena ( Verbena hybrid), with white blossom clusters). It’s ideal for full sun to partial shade.
7. SWEETHEART PASSION
Caladiums, or elephant ears, with their heart-shaped leaves in a huge range of colours, are always sure to fascinate. No, there won’t be any flowers, but with such colourful foliage, do you really need them? Here, in a 30-centimetre diameter pot, are three plants each of two caladiums ( Caladium hortulanum): Heart to Heart ‘Heart and Soul’ in pink, white and green, and Heart to Heart Fast Flash with broad red veins over dark green and plenty of pink sprinkles. Caladiums are fun to mix and match— they all go well together! Caladiums like to be a little humid, so don’t put them outdoors in the spring until the nights are above 12°C. This beauty’s best suited to shade or partial shade.