Great Container Combinations
One of the gardens requested by readers in my What Kind of Garden are You Planning post, was a container herb garden.
I love gardening in containers, so this is a fun one for me to expand on. I enjoy container gardening because it adds an extra dimension to my gardening experience. For some it is the only type of gardening available.
If you live in an apartment or have a small backyard, you have very little space available for plants. This doesn’t have to stop you from raising a productive garden.
What are some good combinations to grow in containers? Some great herb gardens include:
The Italian Container Garden
If you love Italian cooking but you’re short on space, try your favorites of this combination, in a 5 gallon or larger container. Without the tomato you can use a 2 gallon or larger container.
Basil
Oregano
A patio tomato plant (smaller varieties work best)
A sweet pepper
The Fiesta Container Garden
If you like your food hot and spicy try this combination in a large container.
Coriander (Cilantro)
Your favorite jalapeno, habanera, or other hot pepper
Chives
A patio tomato plant (smaller varieties work best)
Tomatillo plant
Culinary Herb Container Garden
If you just like to have a few herbs to cook with, try any combination of these in a large container.
Parsley
Chives
Oregano
Tarragon
Thyme
Basil
Rosemary
Coriander
Summer Tea Container Garden
Here are some great herbs to try if you would like to make your own herbal teas. Some of these will have to plant in their own pots, they can be aggressive and take over the whole pot if planted with other herbs.
Lemon balm (plant in its own pot)
Echinacea
Bee Balm (Oswego tea)
Chamomile
Lavender
Mint (Chocolate, apple, spearmint, peppermint)
Some herbs and plants are very invasive when you plant them in the garden and they just work out very well in pots. One of those herbs is mint. I love mint, and we have a large spread of it in one of our pastures. It was planted there by a previous owner. Since it is in the pasture we just let it grow, and enjoy the benefits of walking out and clipping as much mint as we want during the summer. In the garden however mint can take over, choking out everything else in its path.
Mint grows very well in a container, and if the container is sunk in the ground (with a little of the container lip above ground) mint can be contained to one spot. It can also be left outside to over winter.
Most of the plants listed here will grow on a sunny patio, or balcony. All of the plants listed here will grow in containers, there are so many great containers available today including the self watering Aqua Planter
Have fun container gardening, let us know what great plant combinations you come up with!
Tags: container herb garden, gardening in containers, self watering containers, growing herbs in containers, herbs that grow well in containers, herb combinations for containers
3 Comments
Really like the suggested combinations. I have been collecting some containers to set up on my back deck this year.
I have seen many combinations in magazines and blogs, here is one I am going to try:
Blue Angelonia (3)
Golden creeping jenny (3)
Blue or purple-throated petunias (2)
It likes full sun, so the deck is perfect for it.
I am also going to try your Tea Garden suggestion.
Thanks again.
Oh, my! My gardening projects are growing everytime I open up one of your articles! I tried an Herb Garden in the ground last year and it just didn’t take off very well. I don’t think I placed it in a very good area. Too little light, but we have a large deck and a container garden would work great.
Now, for the basil, I know it’s root structure becomes massive. Wouldn’t it take up the space and nutrients that the other plants would need to survive?
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