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Mixed
Arrangements -
An
overview for planting an interesting container
While a container
massed with a single type of plant can look stunning, half the fun
of container gardening is to make mixed arrangements. And the point
is to have fun! Mixed arrangements can be as simple as you like,
and as changeable. There are only a few basic principles to keep
in mind.
First, you'll
want to choose colors that not only go well with the container that
you've chosen, but with each other. Cool colors, warm colors, dramatic
combinations or soothing ones - it's your choice. Just avoid color
clashes.
Choose textures
that blend and contrast well -- spiky against fern-y, bold against
fragile. That way each individual plant will hold its own in the
mix.
Shapes can make
or break the arrangement. You don't want all rounded blobs, or all
spire-shaped flowers but rather a pleasing mix of different shapes
for variety.
Finally, watch
proportion. A gigantic fountain grass will overwhelm a fragile forget-me-not
and a giant sunflower surrounded by ground-hugging ivy will just
look silly. Plants need to be in scale with each other to create
a harmonious picture.
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