How to Do Container Planting for Year-Round Beauty

Container gardening is an affordable and fun way to make the most of outdoor space and to cultivate year-round beauty. Planting in the ground is a term used by most gardeners to denote beauty, but containers present a special kind of chance to create beautiful arrangements that can be used year round.

This article is about container planting using 4 great plants: Green Mountain Boxwood, Arborvitae, Holly, and Witch Hazel. These plants will add dimension, colour, and drama all year long, and will make your garden a magical paradise.

Growing Green Mountain Boxwood (Buxus' Green Mountain') In A Container

Green Mountain Boxwood - Botanically, this evergreen shrub, Buxus' Green Mountain', is a striking, dark-green plant and perfect for containers. This little round shape is a great one to use to give your container garden structure and formality. How you can use Green Mountain Boxwood effectively during your container-garden year-round:

Choosing the Correct Container: For best results and maximum long-term health of your Green Mountain Boxwood, use a large draining container such as terracotta, concrete, or fiberglass. This will give root growth adequate space and keep the soil from getting waterlogged.

Potting Mix and Drainage: Choose a good drainage potting mix. Drainage in container gardening is important to avoid root rot (the worst) that's happening.

Requirements for Watering and Maintenance: Boxwoods love a constantly moist, but not soggy, soil. Water deeply and frequently to irrigate the soil, especially in hot and dry conditions. Mulching the top of the soil can help keep it moist and keep weeds at bay.

Pruning and shaping: Cut Green Mountain Boxwood early in the spring to keep it looking good. This will foster dense growth and a neat look. Prune heavily in the season to keep plants stress-free.

Year-Round Gloss: The evergreen leaves of Green Mountain Boxwood make for all-year-round beauty. Its dark green leaves form a thick bed for other plants in your container garden and give your garden a bit of shape and formality as a centerpiece or border.

Growing Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) In A Container

Arborvitae - the "tree of life" - is an evergreen tree that can be used in containers and will be a good addition to your container planting program year-round. Its feathery leaves and pyramid form make it look special, and there are several ways you can use it in your container garden:

Container Selection: Arborvitae needs a large container with good drainage, like Green Mountain Boxwood. Choose a container that fits the height and width of an arborvitae variety.

Drainage and Soil: Prepare a loose potting mix with organic matter that drains easily. Arborvitae are tolerant of wet conditions; drainage is key.

Watering and Care: Water it every couple of weeks so your arborvitae stays in shape. But do it sparingly; make sure the ground is damp but not wet. These are easy to care for but might need more water during droughts.

Pruning and Care: Whenever you have container arborvitae, trim your plants every year in late winter or early spring to keep them small and shapely. Arborvitae will get very tall, so you'll control the height and growth of the plants with container gardening.

Seasonal Beauty: Arborvitae's drab, dark green leaves bring beauty all year long, and its pyramidal form brings a little extra style to your container design. Used as a statement plant or planted in a container with other container plants, it can be a visually impactful addition.

Holly (Ilex spp.)

Holly is an evergreen shrub with glossy, spiky leaves and red fruit. These features are what make Holly a great choice for filling your container garden year-round with color and interest. Then, how to make the most of Holly in your pots:

Container Options: Holly grows well in container gardening, but a container that has a good root system is the best choice. Be sure to drain the pot.

Planting and Watering: Provide Holly with a drainage, slightly acidic potting mix. The soil moisture should always be maintained for your plants. Make sure the soil is always wet, but not wet enough. Don't make the soil too wet or dry as it will harm plants. Holly loves slightly acidic soil, so use the right fertilizer to keep it happy.

Pruning and Berry Production: Prune holly at the end of winter/early spring to keep shape & make more berries. Holly bushes are dioecious, that is, they bear berries on female plants. Think about holly shrubs planted as male and female plants, or with a self-fertilizer variety to get the berries.

Seasonal Affect: Holly's ferny green foliage and classic red berries bring all-year-round beauty and are great for containers in winter. The spikey leaves of it add texture to your arrangement as well, making it look better.

Growing Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.) In A Container

Witch Hazel is a pretty deciduous shrub with a special winter flower. Its thorny, spidery flowers will dress up and perfume your container garden in the winter. And here's how to include witch hazel in your container gardening year-round:

Container Choice: Witch hazel is very hospitable to containers, but the pot must be large enough and drain well. This lets the roots of the shrub root freely.

Planting and Watering: Plant witch hazel in a potting mix that is well-drained and loamy. Keep the soil consistently moist. Don't water it too much that it drowns. A bit of mulch over the witch hazel can really help keep the plants hydrated and keep the roots warm during the cold months.

Pruning and shaping: For shape, bushier growth, and more blooming, cut witch hazel back at the end of the winter or first spring, pulling dead or shattered branches.

Witch Hazel is Year-Round: Though the primary reason for witch hazel's popularity is its winter flowers, its nice leaves and branching form add texture to your container planting year-round. When in flower, its sweet-smelling flowers are lovely to add to your lawn, and their vibrant blooms brighten up the winter season.

Year-round containers planted for year-round interest provide endless possibilities for making unique outdoor displays that change with the seasons. Green Mountain Boxwood, Arborvitae, Holly, and Witch Hazel are good options to keep your container garden looking great year-round. If you use containers, soil, and care strategically, you can make a lovely garden that will be enjoyable and quiet for your backyard sanctuary year-round. Pick your favorite container plants, and you've got a garden year-round masterpiece.