Articles Directory | Free Articles | New Articles Daily | Repetition is #without doubt# #one of# the tools in thePlanter box gardeners tool chest to be used alongside style, colour and shape to produce many diverse and delightful displays.

Repetition:

#In the# planter box garden, repeating of and symmetry are pleasing to #the eye# #and comfort# the mind.
Repetition with symmetry are design elements which are essential 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 will instil a feeling of abundance and affluence. Rows #of large# potted orange trees, for example, bordering a pathway are an impressive sight. While most of us cannot emulate #the scale# of grand designs, we can certainly apply the idea to our own, #more modest# gardens, to create #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 emphasise or exaggerate perspective along a path or perhaps a walkway, and you can transform a normal rise of three or four garden steps #into a# garden entrance by placing #an identical# pot at either end of each step. Repeated plantings can be integrated among the plants #in a# border. Utilize large containers that stand above #the existing# planting and place them #along the# length to create continuity and provides the border unity. Harmonising the planter planting #with the# border either by colour or style will enrich the general effect.

Grouping:

Moving planters around, trying them in this way,then trying them that way, #is one# of #the joys# planter box gardening. By careful positioning, #a group# of dissimilar pots will be built #into a# cohesive, collection that has far greater impact than the sum of #the individual# containers. Grouping planters together #is a great# opportunity to #make #the most# of# their varying heights and styles. Another advantage of groups is that any gaps created by less mature plantings may be successfully disguised through skilful placing and overlapping. In making 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, providing you with #the flexibility# to constantly rearrange #the individual# planters for maximum effect. As the plants start to grow taller and begin to fill out, move the pots apart slightly to give every planting the possibility to develop fully and to create a more luxurious display. So #as to# add #variety of# height #to your# grouping, consider raising some of the pots on other upturned pots or place them on shelves. This is particularly effective for smaller pots, making them more visible and increasing their stature.

Container choice:

#Available in# a host #of new# and traditional materials, the choice #of outdoor# pots has never been better.
The upsurge in small-space living and a desire for instant results has renewed popular interest in container gardening. This, consequently, has led #to huge# improvements in planter design and use of materials from which they're made. Traditional pot materials like terracotta and stone are being employed to create modern adventurous styles, while experiments with new materials like moulded resin have given rise to an exceptional choice of planter boxes. There's now #a style#, shape, size and colour of pot for each gardening situation and, if what you want does not exist, #a one#-off pot or group of pots could 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 best planter box #for your# needs.
Wooden planter boxes #have a# natural appeal but unless they are manufactured from the costlier hard, woods, like oak, they will require frequent maintenance #to prevent# them from deteriorating #in the# damp. Like wood, terracotta #has a# natural empathy - 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 pots require frequent watering. Metal containers create a clean, pared down contemporary look and their durable surfaces are easy to clean. Terrazzo and many man-made planters produce the same visual effect as metal with their simple designs. In addition there are currently some excellent synthetic copies of lead cisterns #and large# terracotta planters that #can achieve# a grand effect #on a# budget.