A Different Approach to Container Gardening

By George Graine, Fairfax Master Gardener
“The main purpose of a garden is to give its owner the best and highest kind of earthly pleasure” —Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932)

The key to a new book “Containers in the Garden” by Dutch garden designer Claus Dalby (Cool Springs Press, 2022) is that it is not about a right or wrong way to use containers. Instead, he has a rather unique approach for using them. You will encounter dozens of single plant species in a container and how they become more exciting and more elegant than the traditional approach to gardening with containers. To be sure, the latter is the typical way to use plants that spill over a container (spiller), fill in the pot (filler) and have a focal point (thriller). Dalby notes that approach and has taken a decidedly different way to design a container garden. Perhaps the word heresy is too strong a word for this tradition; however, Dalby’s exceedingly different approach is a more efficient planting style. In addition, the Dalby way will often be more sustainable due to the incompatibility of some store bought containerized plant combinations. Note, too, that gardeners, being somewhat daring in their choice of colors, will often add some excitement for various individual pots of plants. Also consider that you no longer need to follow the traditional (rigid) rules of a color chart.

Dalby is often considered by those in the green industry as the Monet of gardens. He employs a unique way of manipulating color, texture, dimension and shape for planting groups of complementary single containers. As a result, his effort of unusual design is truly extraordinary when you consider the standards of today. This point is well made when you look at the color photos that appear on every page of his book. His creativeness is unparalleled. If you experiment with plants in a grouping of containers, the design will unfold before your eyes as it becomes whatever pleases you. Perhaps the design is simple or complex or bold and even exotic. This depends on the contribution of individually potted containers. All of the plant design principles, noted above, can be inspirational and designed to fit into any location of your choice. Ultimately you are in control of the end product. This is inherent to Scandinavian design whether it is in furniture, textiles and now planting in containers. Because your total plant design depends on the choices you make for the plants, these choices are enhanced with an appropriate container that can be simple high-fired clay or something more elaborate.

When it comes to seasonal change, it is important to consider each plant’s characteristics. By using careful plant selection, this should result in beautiful containers that can be placed wherever you want to put them, for example, on a staircase, patio, porch or wherever it makes the most sense to you. Gardening in this way can be an inspiration and achieve attention beyond your own personal satisfaction. Of course, the usual cultural admonitions apply to containerized plants just like those in a landscape. This means filling your containers with “quality” soil that contains either perlite or vermiculite. Both of these products will help to retain water and fertilizer. Dalby also includes a section on seed starting and transplanting. This may be the only way to secure plants you seek because your local full service garden center may not carry the specific plant you need. It is important to pay heed to time-tested garden methods so that you will achieve success. To help insure your success, Dalby has easy to follow short chapters on planting, watering and how to use fertilizer. By adhering to his suggestions, you will enhance the growth and sustainability of your planted containers.

Throughout the book are explanations of color choice and the placement of containers with different plants. This is where you can become the master of your own design. Many beautiful color photos are included in the book, some filling a full page and providing excellent ideas that shout — Look at me! Of course, there are many close-up single flower photos as well. These will provide you with examples of color, texture and foliage. Through trial and error it is very easy to make changes using a different color scheme or container. No doubt that will be many times easier than digging out plants from a landscape. This will also avoid the inherent risk of something going awry due to transplanting to another location. Note, too, that each potted plant should be a complement to other plants in containers as this will enhance the overall design. You might even consider a fun theme such as romance. This could be in addition to those mentioned above such as color, texture and foliage. In addition to the beauty of planted containers, you should seek help in keeping your arrangements going through the seasons in case you are going to be away for a while. Water — too much or too little is a major factor in the failure of a containerized plant.

As a result of reading this book and maybe marking some pages for future study, you will realize that Dalby’s ideas are not out of reach and can be achieved. Indeed, his ideas for gardening in containers and your ability to execute them to suit yourself should fill you with pride. Is it now time to shed the traditional triumvirate container of spiller-filler-thriller and replace it with the Dalby approach? Yes, you will be inspired to develop even greater designs and unique garden features.

In summary, Dalby wrote, “It is my wish to pass on the knowledge and experience that I have acquired over many years.” He surely achieved that aim with his book. By the way, once you get into containers his motto is “. . . that there is always room for one more.”