Every year, the two concrete planters we have flanking our front door have been filled with one plant.  Sometimes a fern.  Sometimes an evergreen.  And, though I cringe to permit, sometimes they’re left vacant.  Gah, I hate to admit that, but honesty is key with you, my friends.

This year, I vowed for the wow.  I wanted these planters to be filled with different foliage and textures; colors and hues.  Deluging in photo after photo of French Quarter terraces and Charleston window boxes, I stockpiled my inspiration and headed to my favorite local garden centers, here and here, to pick up the bastion of plants needed for my container gardens.

Sneaking out while the rest were still sleeping, me and my 3 shot latte grabbed a buggy and started shopping.  A couple of these.  A couple of those.   Something with height.  Something with drape.  My eye catching on each and every plant it seemed, being happy that there is no rule with container gardening.  Buy what you like and fill the container with however much will fit, and all that.

I enjoyed every moment and got lost in time, but no matter.  Planning a garden, no matter how large or small of a scale, requires allotment.

Arriving home, I placed the plants where I wanted them to live in the container.  Gave myself a nod and planted them with a potting mix mixture of three parts potting soil, one part peet moss.

On to the next container, and before I knew it, I was readying our front porch for the season.  I took a basket that I bought randomly, naturally, and painted the top third white.  The Southern in me requires a couple ferns on our porches, and that pepped up basket became the perfect home for one mandatory plant.

A swift shake of the rug and a hip-swaying sweep, those rocking chairs are beckoning me to rock out.  And this evening, with a crisp glass of rosé, my beloved and I will delight in those container gardens, and savor the serenity of the porch.

Have a container or two begging for beauty?  Why, a container garden is your answer.  And remember, there’s no rules.  Buy what you like, as all plants look beautiful together.