The infinite number of options available for container gardens can make it almost impossible to decide on what you would like to have. Each type of container can hold any number of vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, or aquatic plants. Here are at few container garden ideas to get you started.

Dressing up the Containers

Decorating the container is great container gardening idea to add a personal touch. Metal containers look interesting when they are distressed or antiqued. A pad of steel wool and a hammer can be used to add marks to the container to make it look old and well used. The metal container can then coated with a thin black paint or an antiquing medium. The paint can then be wiped with a soft cloth leaving excess paint in the marks. This highlights the marks making the container appear old and wore out.

Adding to the Container

Many other types of items can be used to decorate a container. To make a miniature trellis, look for a few sturdy sticks that are still pliable. These sticks can then be laid together and bent into a pleasing shape. To secure them, use small finish nails and matching heavy cotton thread. Statutes, glass marbles, rocks, and seashells also make great container accents. For more ideas, the craft store is a great place to find new items and new ideas.

A Water Garden

For a delightful water garden, try a fountain as a focal point. To start, use a large black tub with a cinder block sat in the center. A large terra cotta birdbath base can then be sat on the top of the cinder block after making for opposing grooves for the water to spill through and hole in the center of the birdbath base for the pump mechanism. Next, make a hole in the bottom of at large strawberry pot for the pump hose; just be sure to seal the pump holes with silicone to prevent leakage. Then, add a pot of ivy to the top of the strawberry pot and large flat slate stones in and around the fountain. The slate stones in the fountain should be underneath the holes on the side of the strawberry pot and leaning towards the center of the fountain. Finally, add a variety of aquatic plants and ceramic figurines such as fairies to finish it off.

A Traditional Garden

For those interested in a more traditional garden, try a round raised flowerbed with the walls constructed of large stones. A tall ornamental grass can be used in the center as the focal point for the container garden. Next, use a row of snapdragons in a circle around the ornamental grass. A circle of petunias can be planted next, then phlox, and so on until the garden is full.

The design and personal touches make a container an object of pride and delight. The best part is that very few components of container gardening are permanent. If you find you do not like something or ready for a change, you can move things around or add new items until you are satisfied.