Crazy for Containers

Rough pots in striking geometric and natural shapes are used here to complement finely textured plants. Photos by Diane Morey Sitton

A glazed ceramic pot completes a lovely composition and helps preserve moisture for plants.

Whether you are shopping for a waist-high olive jar to create a focal point, a pair of cast iron urns to celebrate an entryway, or glazed pots to glorify a patio, today's vast array of containers makes it easy to find the right pots for the right places.

Style setters
Start your quest for the perfect pot by visualizing it in its intended garden setting. Keep in mind the architectural style of your house, the size of your garden, and your tastes. Remember, containers are design tools you can use to bolster themes, intensify moods, and create points of interest.

Generally, angular-shaped containers with sharp lines quicken landscapes, suggesting sleek modern sites. Pander to the edgy vibes found in these gardens by selecting square- or rectangular-shaped, metal or glass-sided planters. Conversely, curved forms and rounded silhouettes impart a calm atmosphere that is especially welcomed in country sites. Accentuate this casual ambience by displaying chubby, round baskets. Asian-themed settings call for simplicity. Stick to stone bowls and unadorned containers. Formal gardens command marble urns and pedestals decorated with traditional motifs.

Adobe-look terra cotta pots reinforce Southwest themes. The festive colors and patterns of Mexican-crafted Talavera pots and planters enliven Mediterranean and south-of-the-border style surroundings.

Design tips
Whether formal or informal, Old World or modern, containers look their best when they are proportionately sized to their surroundings. Collections have the greatest impact when they include two or three pot sizes and shapes. The pots' differences create visual interest.

Choosing plants that complement the contours and textures of each container further enhances the display. Tall and narrow vessels call for upright plants about twice their height. Select plants half the height of short, stocky pots to avoid creating a top-heavy appearance.

Color, too, affects design. When selecting pots, remember that green, blue and other cool tones recede, thus making the space appear larger. Warm tones (red and orange) command attention and bring spaces together.

Troughs and tubs, pots and planters, baskets and bowls: There are containers to enhance every garden site and style. What more could you ask for in a finishing touch?

HELPFUL HINTS
Materials: pros and cons
Besides creating a certain "look," the material a container is made of affects the vessel's price, durability and mobility. Because some materials are more porous than others, what a pot is made from even affects how often plants need to be watered.

• Clay.  Plant-friendly and affordable. Porous, so allows soil to dry out. Can crack in freezing temps.
• Ceramic.  Non-porous, so retains soil moisture. Wide range of colors and shapes. Bring inside during winter.
• Synthetic (resin, composite, polyurethane). Light, durable, retains moisture, and frost-resistant. Look and feel of textured stone and other natural materials at a fraction of the cost.
• Iron and cast iron.  Durable and resistant to temperature extremes. Large pieces quite heavy.
• Copper.  Lighter in weight than iron. Durable, and weathers to attractive patina.
• Wood.  Appealing natural material. Redwood, cedar and teak are decay- and rot-resistant.
• Concrete.  Durable and frost-resistant, but heavy. Ideal for year-round plantings. 

About the author: Diane Morey Sitton is a freelance writer and photographer from Colmesneil. She is a contributing editor to Neil Sperry’s GARDENS magazine.