It's shocking how many seasonal hanging baskets are overpriced and poorly made. Most won't make it to the end of the season. Do you have a beautiful ceramic planter that is empty or lack luster? We're here to talk about fixing that!

Convenience is key in getting a knock-out look for many of us. We will gladly accept a less than ideal look if we can get a better than expected price. And, if you only have one place to make an impact in a planter, why not make it the best it can be?

When you think about a gorgeous planter or annual basket, you typically look for three factors: color, size, and price. Julie Bergmoser, of Four-Star Gardens, grows fabulous annuals for Proven Winners and claims that these three factors are what most people look for. 

Let's start with color - planters and the plants you put in them should be an expression of you. Inspiration can come from a memory or a thought, but when focusing on color, stay away from monochromatic schemes unless you have a massive space. Monochromatism can look boring and uninspired if it's in a small space. Likewise, when you have a small front entryway, focusing on very punchy colors can have a great impact.

Picking a size is easy, as long as you prepare with measurements in mind. Many garden centers will have a location where you can design your planters before purchasing. Most annuals should be twice as high as they are wide. This creates a wonderful canvassing effect and architectural height. That said, remember, it's your space and it is important to focus on what makes you happy. 

The price can be the hardest part of planters. I've seen winter planters crafted from leftover Christmas tree cuttings and foraged branches that look great, but I have also seen costly planters that fall flat. I suggest setting a budget and sticking to it. 

Setting up your planters:

Now that you have your planters, know what your budget is and you have thought about colors, use these installation guidelines:

Materials for 2 large planters approx. 24” tall by 12" wide:

1 bag of sand per planter

3 high-quality bags of planting mix (Note: Do not use bedding/topsoil/ect. as it is too heavy) 

1 bag Pea gravel

1 bag of sand

4 wood shims per pot

1 plastic 5 gal. pot (you can purchase these from most garden centers where you will likely be buying the material from)

1. The plug or drain hole is very important so that water is allowed to freely drain from this hole. 

2. Wood or plastic shims- these shims will keep your planter from touching the ground and allowing ice to freeze/thaw cracking or decaying the bottoms.

3. A plastic pot with holes punctured in it helps create great drainage.

4. Pea gravel acts as a filter and adds weight to the planters.

5. Sand prevents the soil's nutrients from running out the bottom of the pot while adding a porous drainage to the plant mix.

6. Plant mix, which is a light and fluffy mixture of peat, styrofoam, hummus, manure, topsoil, sand, and fertilizer is the best mix for plant annuals

The three essential factors to a great Planter: 

Take a look at these two quick drawings. Most of us have seen pottery like this for sale, and we may even own similar pots. Now we will learn about the thriller, the filler and the spiller.

1. The thriller is usually a tall showy grass or a grouping of pussy willow in spring. It could also be a tall metal trellis for a climbing vine.

2. The filler is where the “pack a punch” flower should be used. Most of your annuals can be fillers. Geraniums, pansies, hydrangeas and coleus are great options.

3. The spiller is usually the most difficult to find. A few plants trail greatly, but the most common are sweet potato vine, Boston ivy or creeping Jenny. 

If setting up a planter yourself seems like too much hassle, our D.A. Alexander Team would be happy to keep your planters looking great all year long!