Articles Directory | Free Articles | New Articles Daily | Repetition is #one of# the tools in thePot gardeners tool chest to be used alongside style, colour and shape to provide many wide-ranging and delightful displays.

Repetition:

#In the# pot garden, repeating of and symmetry are pleasing to #the eye# #and comfort# the mind.
Repetition as well as symmetry are design fundamentals which are fundamental to many of the grand gardens with their avenues of trees, balustrades, steps, topiary and knot gardens. Seeing just one component repeated over and over again does instil a feeling of abundance and prosperity. Rows #of large# potted orange trees, by #way of# example, flanking a walkway are a powerful sight. While the majority of us are #not able# to emulate #the scale# of grand designs, we are able to certainly apply the idea to our own, #more modest# gardens, to generate #a sense# of largesse and comfort. Even on #a small# scale, identical repeated plantings engender admiration and convey a suggestion of wealth. Rows of pots can be used to stress or exaggerate perspective along a path or perhaps a walkway, and you can transform an ordinary rise of three or four garden steps #into a# garden entrance by placing #an identical# pot at either end of each step. Recurring plantings can be included amid the plants #in a# border. Utilize large planter boxes that stand above #the existing# planting and place them #along the# length to create continuity and give the border unity. Harmonising the container planting #with the# border either by colour or style will also enrich the overall effect.

Grouping:

Moving planters around, trying them this way,then trying them that way, #is one# of #the joys# planter gardening. With careful positioning, #a group# of disparate containers can be built #into a# unified, arrangement that has far greater impact than the sum of #the individual# planter boxes. Grouping containers together #is a great# opportunity to #make #the most# of# their varying heights and styles. The other advantage of groups is that any gaps created by less mature plantings may be successfully disguised through skilful placing and overlapping. In creating planter groupings you're combining the principles of balance, shape and proportion you have already applied to a single planting. #A group# arrangement also has more potential, giving you #the flexibility# to constantly rearrange #the individual# planter boxes for optimum effect. When the plants begin to grow taller and begin to fill out, move the pots apart slightly to provide every planting the chance to develop fully and to create a more luxurious display. To add #variety of# height #to your# grouping, consider raising a few of the planters on other upturned pots or stand them on shelves. This is particularly effective for smaller planter boxes, making them more visible and increasing their stature.

Planter box choice:

#Available in# a number #of new# and traditional materials, the choice #of outdoor# planters has never been better.
The upsurge in small-space living plus a desire for instant results has renewed popular interest in planter box gardening. This, consequently, has led #to huge# improvements in planter design and use of materials from which they are made. Traditional planter box materials like terracotta and stone are being employed to produce modern adventurous designs, while experiments with new materials like moulded resin have given rise for an unparalleled selection of pots. There's now #a style#, shape, size and colour of pot for every gardening situation and, if what you desire does not exist, #a one#-off planter or group of planters can be commissioned at #an affordable# rate. Such #variety of# containers gives ample scope for innovation and indulgence.

Which material is best?

#There is a# mixture of both practical and aesthetic decisions #to be# made when selecting the right container #for your# needs.
Wooden planters #have a# natural appeal but unless they are manufactured from the dearer hard, woods, like oak, they may need frequent renovation #to prevent# them from deteriorating #in the# wet. Like wood, terracotta #has a# natural affinity - with all plant material and appears good when teamed up with most plant combinations. But terracotta is porous and dries out more speedily so plants in terracotta containers require frequent watering. Metal containers create a clean, pared down contemporary look and their hard surfaces are easy to clean. Terrazzo and some man-made containers produce the identical visual effect as metal with their simple designs. You #can also# get now some excellent synthetic copies of lead cisterns #and large# terracotta planters that #can achieve# a grand effect #on a# budget.