Soggy Spring Means a Spectacular Summer Ahead...
I can hope can't I? After record-breaking sunshine in February, I now can't remember when I last saw the sun. Spring showers have been doing their job and the planters are all thriving, but I am feeling a little water-logged!
The renovation of my container garden is finally complete. Re-finishing my deck and having to shuffle around forty planters in the process, I decided it would be the ideal time to do a major re-potting and plant clean-up. All the plants that had outgrown their pots were upgraded to larger, all-weather planters, mostly terracotta and fiberstone (see 'Innovations' below), and I sent some plants to new homes in friend's gardens that seemed to struggle too much on my deck. Aside from the winterizing issue, I really had to make room for the two Elephant's Ears (Colocasia) that are new this year. They will join a very vigorous Bamboo and a gorgeous Tiger Canna as the focal points for two planter groupings on my deck. If you don't receive the next newsletter, you'll know I'm lost in my homemade jungle!
In this issue we'll look at some innovations in planters that really broaden our choices, some in unexpected ways. Planters are already established as important decorative elements around our homes, indoors and out, and now we're seeing the addition of features that mean planters can serve more than one purpose.
In this issue...
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Innovations in Outdoor Planters
If you're still using the same old plastic planters your mother gave you when she cleaned out her garage ten years ago, you're in for a big shock the next time you visit your local garden shop. The variety in materials, styles, colors and sizes of garden planters has really gone through the roof. The amazing growth in the popularity of container gardening has finally caught the attention of designers and manufacturers who suddenly seem to realize that for many people, planters are much like shoes - you can just never have enough!
Whether you're happy to plant a couple of welcoming garden urns at your front door, or you're one of the fanatics that loves to create a lush, garden-size display of flowers, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and vines on your deck ~ you should take some time to learn about the new features and materials of planters available today. With an eye for durability and style you will find these planters make a good investment for both the success of your container garden, as well as adding atractive accents to your home. Here's a brief overview of innovations to look for ~
Illuminated Planters
What a beautiful way to add magical lighting to your patio, deck or garden landscape. The body of the planter is designed to illuminate without showing the potting material inside. Some models of illuminated planters are powered by a low-voltage transformer while others come with the power cord and long-lasting fluorescent lamps, or solar panels. The selections are currently rather limited in sizes, but there are a number of colors available including white, terracotta, lemon, green and blue. Imagine a single illuminated planter as a beautiful focal point on a patio or a series of illuminated planters around a swimming pool — each would make quite a magnificent statement. Prices range from $99 to $328.
Translucent Resin Planters
I really love these translucent planters! They are so far removed from the clunky and plastic-looking resin planters that first came on the market that it's hard to believe they are made from the same type of material. There have been such great advances in the quality of the resin and fiberglass material and the production processes, that I can no longer say 'Never in my garden!' These planters manage to be very modern-looking while providing all the benefits of fiberglass or resin — they are lighter than most natural materials, resistant to weather damage and many are far more economical than the same size planters in terracotta or wood.
Fiberstone Planters
As one of the garden suppliers describes fiberstone planters, 'looks like stone, feels like a feather'. Again, fiberglass has contributed to the production of another style of planter that has long been admired, but for most of us has been impractical because of their weight and limited availabilty. That has now changed with the introduction of fiberstone planters which are made from real limestone mixed with fiberglass. These planters have the look and feel of limestone but are lighweight, extremely durable and come in a wide range of sizes, styles and colors.
Fiberstone is the ideal material for large planters on balconies and decks where weight is a consideration. Many that I have seen are impossible to tell from the real thing until you actually lift them. The subtlety of the detailing achieved by newer production methods gives many fiberstone planters a handcrafted look which complements the natural elements of our outdoor decors. Fiberstone is the ideal material for garden urns if you like the classic look of antiquity. You may find the price is somewhat higher for fiberstone, particularly in the larger sizes, but I believe the investment is well worth it — these planters really will last a long time. Be sure to request drainage holes be drilled in the bottom. Here's a small sampling of the many styles of fiberstone planters available ~
We find many blue wildflowers that flourish in both dry and woodland conditions, as well as shrubs and plants not normally associated with container gardening, but there are many that can be adapted to planters for a time and moved to the garden as they mature and many, such as the Agapanthus, which will thrive in planters on its own. Trailing annuals in blue are very popular for summer hanging baskets - look for Calibrachoa 'Million Bells Trailing Blue' or 'Superbells Trailing Blue', the new Ageratum 'Blue Horizon' and Geranium 'Blue Blizzard'. 
