These gorgeous spring container garden ideas show off an explosion of color and texture while celebrating warmer weather and boosting curb appeal.
10 Whimsical Spring Container Garden Ideas
1
/
12
Colorful Spring Bulbs
One of the most fun container garden ideas is to pick plants that you can watch mature. Planting your containers with bulbs lets you enjoy all the different stages of growth and color in the blooming process. This container by @bloom.and.grow.ali featured bulbs and palm fans to add height and depth. Remember, most spring bulbs should be planted six to eight weeks before the soil begins to freeze. That means mid to late October or early November in most U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones.
2
/
12
Sculptural Driftwood
This spring container garden by @outdoorcraftsmen features driftwood branches surrounded by purple flowers and greenery. The branches form an organic sculpture that brings height, texture and interest to the design. Limiting the flowers to one color and using a shallow container gives the arrangement a modern look.
3
/
12
Evergreen Centerpiece
An evergreen shrub in the center of your container anchors the arrangement and can be used across multiple seasons without replanting. This lovely container by @casey_thepotlady features pansies and trailing plants with soft texture that contrasts nicely with the more symmetrical shape of the shrub.
4
/
12
Miniature Egg Nest
This sweet spring container garden by @homegrowncontainerco is packed with gorgeous flowers including blue nemesia, creamy white ranunculus and frizzle sizzle pansies. Some varieties are already in bloom, while others will burst with color as the temperature warms. The miniature nest of eggs is the perfect finishing touch to add spring whimsy.
5
/
12
Flowers and Ferns
Flank your spring container garden with ferns, as @containergardenconcierge did, to create a more substantial arrangement that makes a bigger impact. Ferns thrive in bright, indirect light. They’ll work great on a front or back porch that gets a few hours of morning sun, or filtered light throughout the day.
6
/
12
Clever Use of Perennials
Longevity is key when evaluating container garden ideas. Using perennials (i.e. plants that come back every year) in your spring containers ensures your arrangements look good across multiple seasons. If the perennials get too big, simply transplant them into your garden. Divide perennials in spring so you’ll have more to transplant in your garden and share with family and friends.
The Grape Timeless heuchera at the center of this container by @ssgibbs1102 shows off new growth during spring. Bright green creeping jenny and delicate pansies surround the purple leafy plant. In summer, tall stems with tiny pink flowers will emerge from the purple leaves.
7
/
12
Bird Nest
This cheerful spring container garden by @stacymosesfloraldesigns grows in an oversized bird nest! Achieve the same look by using a grapevine wreath at the base of your arrangement, and Spanish moss to fill in any gaps. The pussy willow branches add height while the scabiosa, also known as pincushion flowers, delivers the color.
8
/
12
Long and Low
The dimensions of the planter in this container garden by @ladydifloralgarden make it perfect to place almost anywhere. The thin white branches provide height and a little drama.
The other plants include euphorbia, pansies, alyssum, coral bells, creeping jenny and lamium. Combined, they create a versatile mini garden.
9
/
12
Multi-Season Tabletop Containers
These beautiful tabletop container gardens by @kathybrownstev look beautiful through the winter and spring in regions where the temperature doesn’t dip below freezing.
You can’t see the dwarf daffodils and miniature tulip bulbs planted in the soil. They will flower in April and May. In the meantime, the golden feverfew and blue violas protect the growing bulbs and eventually form the base of the spring eruption.
10
/
12
Monochrome Green
Spring container garden ideas traditionally lean towards combinations that create an explosion of color. But these all-green arrangements by @gardensandgirls offer a modern take on spring gardening while looking fresh, lush and beautiful. You can also look at the wheelbarrow planter ideas for more creativity in your garden.
The trick with a monochrome container garden? Selecting high-contrasting textures to avoid a one-note look. These containers feature cast-iron plant, maidenhair fern and caladium.
11
/
12
FAQs
What plants do best in container gardens?
Many plants will thrive in containers. Just keep in mind their mature growth size, sunlight needs, and drought tolerance (containers can easily be overwatered without proper drainage). Plus, the great thing about containers is you can move your plants indoors or into a greenhouse when the weather turns cold. “For pots, my top choices are always herbs, pansies, sedum, or small shrubs like boxwood,” says Sons.
What materials are best for container gardens?
Garden containers should be durable and well-drained with holes on the bottom or draining material underneath the soil. “The best materials are breathable like clay or fabric grow bags that are good for root health and drainage,” says Sons. Terracotta pots might require more watering because the material is porous. Plastic, ceramic and metal containers retain water better, but might heat up too much in the sun.
12
/
12
About the Expert
- Tammy Sons is a gardening and plant expert, and the founder and CEO of TN Nursery, a business that’s been active in the nursery industry for over 60 years and 3 generations. She studied at Harvard Business School and T.S.U. Horticulture.
