Trough planters, pretty blooms and a vertical veggie garden

Fresh ideas for what to do this summer.

HOW TO DO IT

1. Lay stones on the bottom of the planter for drainage, and fill two-thirds full with potting mix.

2. Plant the stock and cosmos, keeping the root balls level and the plants about an inch below the planter’s rim.

3. Add the morning glory and thrift around the planter edges.

4. Fill any gaps with potting mix, pressing the soil down firmly. Repeat the steps for the second planter.

A C B D FOR EACH PLANTER A. 4 Cinderella Series stock (Matthiola incana) B. 1 ‘Trailing Black’ morning glory (Ipomoea) C. 1 ‘Rubrifolia’ thrift (Armeria maritima) D. 4 ‘Apollo Lovesong’ cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

A pair of sage planters elevates flowers to eye level when seated outside and offers a contrast to pretty purple blooms. Sage metal planters, $149/set of 2.