Sara's Summer Containers

I always try to get people to think outside the box by showing them different options to use in their container plantings. That means not just annuals, but groundcovers, perennials… even houseplants can be used to create unique and colorful combinations. The best part is that afterwards, some plants can either be planted in the ground or brought inside to enjoy through the winter, giving you much more bang for your buck.

So my colleague Maria and I created four summer arrangements at our Brighton store and gave them fun names, hoping to inspire you all to try something different. Here you go.

SoCal, for full sun

We were “California dreaming” when we planted the lantana in this box, where it grows into a large bush in the southern part of the state. This combo also includes verbena, licorice plant and petunias.

The Charms of Dublin, for part to full shade

What epitomizes Ireland better than shamrocks and ferns? (Besides leprechauns of course!) Both can be brought indoors and used as houseplants in the fall. Also included are lobelia, fuschia and rex begonias. Begonias also double as house plants.

Bombay Nights, for part sun, part shade

These colors reminded us of the hot nights and beautiful saris worn in India. If planted in the ground, the lysmachia will return in the spring. Also included are cordyline, setcreasea, and new guinea impatiens.

Aztec Gold, for full sun

These plants worship the sun, just as the Aztecs did thousands of years ago. We paired annuals and perennials to create this unique combination. Also used here are the perennials rumex and heucheral; and annuals cordyline, calibrachoa, euphorbia and verbena.