Container For An Entrance

Posted by Susan Mertz Jun 6, 2006

Just as the entrance of a residence should be welcoming, so should the entrance of a business. Filling a large container with a mix of plants is one simple way of inviting customers in to do business. Selecting a pot that can withstand the winter weather will increase your plant selections. Or, plan to change out the plantings on a seasonal basis.

The container in the photo is ceramic and stands about 4' tall and has a blue-black glaze. Since it will crack in Kansas City's cold winters, it is overwintered inside. Currently, it is planted with a purple black foliaged canna and Golden Spirit Smokebush for eye catching contrasting foliage. Flowering plants include Dahlberg Daisy, Mandevilla Vine, Harlequin Mix Dahlia and Tapien Blue Verbena. The Canna will also flower in mid summer. The other foliage plants are Religious Radish Coleus and Icicles Helichrysum.

Later in the season, a few of the plants will be replaced to freshen up the container. A mum may replace one of the summer annuals. A small ornamental conifer might replace the canna. Silver Scrolls Coralbell could take the place of the coleus.

For a container that can be left out through the winter, an assortment of evergreen boughs would be a nice touch.

For a simple container, check out tomorrow's blog.

© Susan Mertz, June 2006. All rights reserved.

Click on Plants and Bulbs for more articles by Susan Mertz.