Armstrong Garden Centers

Simple rows are the best

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:11:26 +0000

Even in very small gardens, simple rows are the best for edibles. It makes it easy to replace a crop once it’s finished. Just keep things rotating throughout the year. Here, a newly planted double row of basil is placed between lettuces and parsley, transitioning between spring and summer.

Spring Kitchen Garden

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:09:04 +0000

Early spring is a transition time in the edible garden. It’s not too late to plant fast-growing cool-season crops like lettuces, broccoli, and onions. Of course, a true kitchen garden has flowers for cutting, too.

Create Romance

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:07:19 +0000

Pastel tones and lots of small flowers always combine to create femininity and romance. Here, calibrachoa, geranium, and bacopa centered with a scented geranium are the plant choices.

Create a Charming Collection

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:05:50 +0000

Plant collections are always interesting—especially when they’re displayed in a charming way. The simple white wooden plant stand display herbs, flowers and strawberries.

Impatiens for Shady Spots

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:04:29 +0000

You can’t beat impatiens for shady spots. When you have a beautiful wall planter like this on, keep the planting simple so the eye can appreciate both the planter and the plants!

Windowbox happiness

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:02:32 +0000

Windowboxes are the epitome of happiness. The key to success: trailing plants like Plectranthus, shown here. The upright plants are salvia and ornamental grass; mounding plants are various kinds of daisies.

Success by Excess

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:01:11 +0000

Nothing succeeds like excess. Planting in masses is a time-honored technique. Clipped green shrubs punctuate a mass planting of pink wax begonias edged white white-flowering ones.

Country Garden Effect

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:59:06 +0000

Who says a planter has to be a pot. Paint a favorite watering can in a bright enamel paint and plant it very simply for a country garden effect. This one’s planted with a pink-flowering oxalis.

Succulent "Potscape"

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:56:35 +0000

Create a small “potscape” in a low planter of any type using your favorite selection of succulents. Make sure it has drainage holes, however.

Container Mashup

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:54:47 +0000

This is a great container mashup of red-leaved banana, black-leaved sweet potato vine, red New Guinea impatiens and golden Plectranthus.