Plants in Containers Add Color to Patios

One of the best things about summer plantings is the availability of flowering bedding plants to brighten your favorite containers. Nurseries have an incredible variety of containers: Wood, ceramic, cement, plastic and so much more. Container gardening allows you to place color in strategic areas such as doorways and patios.

The next step is to purchase good potting soil. The soil should be a complex mix that does not need anything else other than fertilizer added to it. Now go to your favorite garden center and take a look at the plants that will do best in the area where you want to place the container. If it is a shady location or morning sun only, you can use fiberous or tuberous begonias, impatiens, coleus, mimulus, forget-me-nots, torenia or lobelias.

If the area is sunny, there’s the popular marigold along with vinca, salvias, sweet alyssum, dusty miller, petunias and much more. Check with your local California certified nursery professional for the best choices.