CONTAINER GARDENS

Plan properly if you need to keep a container in a tough spot. Here for example, canna, lantana, and maidengrass stand up to heat and humidity to look good all summer long. This planting grows best in full sun or partial shade. A. Canna 'Pretoria' -- 2 B. Lantana 'Lucky White' -- 4 C. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Dappled Dawn') -- 1 D. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Dark Frills') -- 2 E. Vinca major 'Variegata' -- 3 F. Melampodium paludosum -- 1 G. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita') -- 1 H. Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis) -- 1

Use ornamental grasses to add height and texture to any planting. Here, purple fountaingrass adds extra color, too. This planting grows best in partial shade. A. Purple fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') -- 2 B. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Sun Velvet Red') -- 3 C. Plectranthus 'Variegatus' -- 2 D. Impatiens 'Dazzler Pink' -- 2 E. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) -- 2

With fantastic foliage, you don't even need flowers. Look for plants that have colorful foliage, such as the coleus used here. This planting grows best in partial shade. A. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Black Dragon') -- 3 B. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Wizard Jade') -- 3 C. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Dress Me Up') -- 3 D. Ruellia brittoniana -- 1

Here's another example of how you can create a great bloomless container with interesting foliage. A purple phormium contrasts delightfully with a golden-variegated plectranthus. This planting grows best in partial shade. A. New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) -- 1 B. Plectranthus 'Easy Gold' -- 2 C. Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) -- 2 D. Silver thyme (Thymus 'Argenteus') -- 1 E. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) -- 1 F. Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' -- 1

Ornamental grasses add texture to any container planting. Here, purple fountaingrass rises up like fireworks out of a collection of bold, beautiful plants. This planting grows best in full sun. A. Purple fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') -- 2 B. Dusty miller (Centaurea 'Colchester White') -- 1 C. Diascia 'Sun Chimes Coral' -- 4 D. Alternanthera 'Red Thread' -- 2 E. Caricature plant (Graptophyllum pictum) -- 1

Create simplicity and elegance with single-color plantings. Here, shades of silver mix and look particularly wonderful under the moonlight. This planting grows best in full sun. A. Silver sage (Salvia argentea) -- 1 B. Dusty miller (Centaurea 'Colchester White') -- 1 C. Cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon stamineus) -- 1 D. Bacopa (Sutera 'Snowfalls') -- 1 E. Nemesia 'Vanilla Sachet' -- 1 F. English ivy (Hedera helix 'Ivalace') -- 2

Repeating an element is one of the most effective tools of garden design. It applies to containers, too. Here, purple New Zealand flax and coralbells go together, as well as the arching form of the flax and the fiber optic grass. This planting grows best in partial sun. A. Fiber optic grass (Scirpus cernuus) -- 1 B. Coralbells (Heuchera 'Amethyst Mist') -- 1 C. New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) -- 1 D. Variegated geranium (Pelargonium 'Happy Thought') -- 1 E. Calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) -- 1

Keep in mind that containers can do double-duty. Here, a combination of low-growing plants works perfectly as a centerpiece for a party or as an accent on a wall, bench, table, or other structure. It grows best in shade. A. Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) -- 2 B. Begonia 'Cocktail Vodka' -- 2 C. Wishbone flower (Torenia 'Clown Mix') -- 3

Container gardens can be focal points in the landscape. A single plant can work the same way for the container garden, as this deep purple pseuderanthemum shows here. This planting thrives in sun or shade. A. Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum -- 2 B. Lobelia erinus 'Periwinkle Blue' -- 3 C. Basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus 'Variegatus') -- 3 D. Plectranthus 'Uvongo' -- 3 E. Elephant plant (Portulacaria afra 'Variegata') -- 3