It’s the middle of June and my perennial gardens are coming along nicely. The few hanging baskets I’d purchased haven’t stood the test of 2 dogs though. Somehow the dogs have knocked the stands over while playing and my poor baskets are looking very poorly. I am intent on nursing them back to health, in the meantime I wanted to get myself a few large planters for the deck to bring in some colour.
Planters and urns can make a strong statement, by choosing your fav colours and plants you can liven up your outdoor space. Today I headed to our local Zehrs to see what tickled my fancy.
I ended up buying 2 pretty planter boxes after browsing them for ages. They have so many styles, materials and colours that it was quite difficult to decide. I almost bought a gorgeous teal blue pair but as always my conservative kicked in.
I also bought a plethora of annuals to use in the planters, President’s Choice carries a line of annuals called Gigantico which I adore. They are three times the size of normal annuals and with our short season, they are instant gratification.
From tall ones, hanging ones to showy ones I think I’ve got it covered. Along with these items, I picked up some soil to use in the planters, managed to get a great deal as well. After the super nice sales rep helped me load up the SUV, I headed home to get planting.
How to Make a Gorgeous Planter
Fill the bottom of the urn or planter with filler such as gravel, empty plastic flower containers or coarse sand. The filler helps with drainage and saves on unnecessary potting soil.
Fill the container with potting soil until you reach within 1″ of the top. Flowering annuals have shallow roots and only require approximately 8″ of soil. Pat the soil down firmly, this will help plants to remain stable.
Choose your plants wisely. The most crucial point is the diameter of the plants; don’t buy plants with a large diameter which won’t end up fitting into the urn as attractively as you’d like.
Also take note of where the urn or planter will sit. If it’s in the shade you’ll need shade loving plants and vice versa if it’s full sun.
Planters and urns do well if you have a Thriller (tall showy plant), a Spiller (a cascading plant) and a Filler (plants to fill the spaces).
In today’s planters I used:
- Thriller: 1 tall annual for the centre of the planter/urn, today I chose spikes and an incredible Iris
- Spiller: Some trailing annuals, today I chose PC ‘Gold’, ‘Maculata’ and ‘Floramia’
- Filler: Shorter, wider fillers around the centre annual. Today I chose ‘Star Dust Super Flash’ and ‘Silver Spike’
Begin with the tall annual, dig a hole in the centre of the planter/urn slightly larger than the root ball. Remove the plant from the plastic container by grasping the base of the plant stem and gently squeezing or tapping the container. Place the annual into the hole, cover with soil and pat firmly.
Next plant the filler plants, making a circle if you’ve chosen more than a few. Finally plant the cascading plants, spacing them evenly around the diameter.
When all of your plants are planted, insert a container-friendly fertilizer like Miracle Grow sticks and water generously to settle the soil.
Within an hour I had 2 gorgeous planters, both quite different but equally suitable for our outdoor space.
It’s a simply endeavour and well-worth the effort!
Enter to WIN a $50 Gift Card to President’s Choice
My friends at President’s Choice want you to get in the garden! They’ve given me a $50 Gift Card to giveaway to one lucky Canadian reader.
Giveaway entry is simple, just use the Giveaway Tools form below. Giveaway ends July 2nd, winner will have 48 hours to respond.
some lovely pots or plants
Love this pretty planter Julie! You did such a great job with colour and textures and composition. I love the PC Gardens Centers and I need a lot of plants for our perennial border! i would love to buy more perennials with a GC. Thanks for the giveaway! Angie xo
It’s beautiful Julie!! I would buy a burning bush and a hydrangea to replace the ones the harsh winter killed. Thanks for the contest!! :-)
I’d have to get new pots for my existing plants & add to my collection of fine geenery :)
I would buy mosquito repellant plants as I live in a small town near a river and some plants that spread wildly as I want to have the least amount of grass possible :)
Would love this type Julie & PC!
I love buying plants and getting my little guys involved in gardening. Our growing season is a little behind most of Canada so we’re just finishing up our vegetable garden. I would like to purchase some ground cover as we started some larger gardens. I love your planters!
I’d buy some perennials for my gardens. I’m looking for some ground cover.
Oops….would love this….ty Julie & PC! Id most definitely find somthn to brighten up my place…PC has so many options!
I’m going to copy you and get that awesome planter – I love it!!
groceries!!
I’d buy mulch! We bought many of our flowers & veggies at real Canadian superstore this year but we definitely need more mulch!
I would probably get some hardy ground cover to replace the ferns that we plan to dig out!
Like you, Julie, my perennials are starting to flourish, but my deck and yard need some color and “pick-me-up” With a $50.00 PC card I could pick from a wide range of PC annuals to brighten up these spots.
Cheers!
I’d check out the garden centre and see what is available – I’d love to have some woolly thyme if I could find it……
I was just telling my mother today that I would like some indoor plants, so if I won I guess I would get me some plants for indoors
I’d have to say I’d buy groceries, anything needed, with this gift card. Not exciting but it would definitely help!!
I would love to win this so that I could try following your instructions to build as wonderful an urn as you did Julie
Wow this is very beautiful, I simply love plants! With the gift card I would buy groceries. Thanks! Have a nice day!
I’d probably buy a few groceries with the gift card, maybe some outdoor items as well.
I would use it to buy more flowers for my flowerbeds :)
Flowers & plants! I want my yard to be colorful :)
I love plant pots so I’d buy a few of those!
Any type of plants. Woould like a hibiscus tree though.
thanks Jackie from St. Catharines
Nicely done!!! I took a similar course that was really fun and informative! Your plants look great! I would love to add to the two that I have now. It would fill things in nicely. ;)
Groceries
I’d get a herb planter, so I could have fresh herbs all the tine
I love it…..
I would buy some planters and solar lights for my garden :)
I would buy veggies to plant in our container garden!
I’ve done my planting, but I need more ambience! I’d get new cushions and decorations for my deck.
I’d buy some nice flowers for a planter!
I’d have to buy food
I would buy strawberry plants
Definitely flowers
I would get some gorgeous pots and plants for my new deck.
I would use it to buy perennials for mt garden
I would buy some hanging flower baskets.
I would buy a few plants to put in front of the house in a boxed area(Perennials if possible) and I’ve been wanting to get a Rhubarb plant very badly.
These are great Pots :)
I would buy top soil and veggie plants.
ha since my thumb isn’t really green I would get a nice potten plant, and then a tub of ice cream so I can cry when my plant dies
My garden desperately needs fertilizer. This would be enough to buy some for not only my planters but my vegetable garden as well!
I would buy groceries for a BBQ
I would buy some planters and flowers
Fresh flowers and a few groceries
I would buy some very colourful flowers!
I could use some outdoor garden lights for my sister
Oh well I coudnt find them on their website so maybe they dont carry them anymore so I would get her some nice hanging baskets , her birthday is coming up
Id buy some herbs or veggie plants. I love my veggie garden
I really like the pots you got they are very cute so I would pick something similar
I would buy some flowers for my 2 very sad looking empty pots on my front step
I would buy Veggies!
I would add some colour to my garden – and some herbs, too!
I would buy some veggie seedlings and seeds for my garden
I would get a couple of outdoor planters to decorate the front of our house.
i want to buy herbs for my garden
I’d like to buy flower pots, some seeds and a summer hat
I would buy some herbs to make a balcony planter.
I would use the giftcard to buy some new pots and flowers to decorate my windows.
i would buy some herbs and planters for them
I would buy some new shrubs
I would buy groceries and herb plants
love the planter you did! I would buy some potting soil and some flowers to brighten up our back porch!
Plkants and soil
I would buy a few of the gorgeous lillies I saw there :)
I just recently got a new (used) patio set and I would use the gift card towards some accessories (juice pitcher, bowls , plates., etc)
I would probably buy some groceries!
maybe some cute garden accessories, like the cute stools they have at Loblaws :D
some steak and shrimp for the barbie
I’d buy a trellis and some flowers.
Some nice planters
I’d buy some groceries and a rose plant (one of mine did not make it).
Thanks for a great giveaway!
I would probably buy groceries. Your pots are beautiful and love the feature plant with the red flowers. What is the name of that plant.
I’d buy pots and some decorations for my deck
Your planters look so beautiful ! Thanks for the inspiration. Liked your idea about using an Iris for height . I would love to buy some urns, irises, PC wave annuals and make amazing planters for my back deck.
I’d buy a new rose bush – the tough winter here in Alberta killed mine.
Some hanging baskets or flowers for the front bed.
I would buy planters and plants for the backyard
I would buy a new planter for the deck.
I have my eye on a large planter they have.
LOVE TO WIN
Some groceries
Some pots and potting soil to transplant my 5 year old son’s sunflower he planted at the Children’s Festival!
Lilies, greenery spikes, dusty millers.. any plant from PC that can withstand the summer hailstorms.
I’d buy some plants and maybe some groceries
I would buy radish seeds, and some lovely bright flowers, yellow preferably.
Some weed killer and maybe some fertilizer.
I’d buy groceries
some fine cheeses and meat
Wow…I would get some Marigolds to make a border around my veggies!
I need some peat moss and some perennials that were damaged by this last winters weather. TY for the chance
I’d buy new pots.
I would buy a few more annuals to fill in the holes in the gardens
I would but a large pot/planter container. I need to spruce up my front entry.
I would get some strawberry and some perennials :)
I would buy groceries. The price of fruits and vegetables seems to have gone up by a lot lately, so would be nice to get a bit of a discount.
I would buy some new pots.
would buy some new pots for my plants on the deck
I would buy a large palm / fern plant for my porch .
I would buy some perennials, pots and potting soil
I would like to get some pretty flowers to hang on our balcony.
I would buy potting soil
I would love to try some hanging baskets. I have a rather boring front porch that could use a little cheer, but somehow, I usually stop before I get to there.
Nicely done! This is the first year that I’ve tried my hand at “gardening”, so I suppose I would probably buy some more plants to try to keep alive!
Loads of ice cream, it’s going to be a hot summer
I would buy some perennials for my garden!
I’d get some ice cream and burgers and have a family bbq!
If I won i’d likely get something for the patio.
lots of herbs and groceries for a BBQ
I want to grow some peonies in my garden so I’ll get some of those.
definitely some plants and flowers for my garden
plants
I would love to get a small patio table for our deck. It’s awesome out there – but there’s no where to sit my iced tea!
I would love to get some solar garden lights.
i’d get some gardening tools
I would buy some more flowers for my garden or some moon rays
I would buy plants for my yard
I would buy some hanging baskets
thanks
Summer BBQ supplies!
There is a PC garden center next to my house, I would buy some plants to spruce up my porch. thanks
cookies and cheese mm
I’d buy more herbs to add to my herb garden.
sadly groceries
I would by a new ho and groceries
I would buy some flowers for the garden.
I would buy some greoceries for bbq!!..and cake!
*groceries
I’d buy a new tree for our front lawn
I want to buy some perennials for my back yard…and maybe even a tree!
I would say groceries, but my wife would likely steal it for the garden.
I would give it to my mom so she can buy things for her garden!!
Some nice flower plants for our garden in front of the house
I would use it to buy some soil and pots for my plants
id buy groceries
I would buy some soil and plants/flowers for my garden!
I would definitely use the $50 gift card to assemble something awesome for my front step. It’s bare and boring, and I NEED color!!!
I would buy a new hose to water my plants
I would buy some more foxglove flowers. I have two plants now and I’d like more. Also, maybe a butterfly bush.
I would love a massive urn to do seasonal planters in.
Love some colourful plants! I am so far behind in yard work this year!
My garden is in serious need of some bright colours, so I’d probably buy a few really pretty annuals in pink or yellow
I would buy some of their awesome planters.
With a president choice card I would by some Joe’s workout clothing.
I would buy a plant for the front of the house. The rest I would buy groceries.
I would buy some stuff for my garden
I love the cana lillies s o would buy a few of those and some hostas, building a hosta garden at the side of my house and would love to add some more to it
I’d buy some perennials for my existing garden and spread it out more. Thanks for the chance. Cheers
I would buy groceries and stuff for our garden
I may have to do these planters when my new, huge deck gets built next week. I want to keep the planters to a minimum, so this would be perfect, and beautiful!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Some citronella canles, new pots for my patio
I have always wanted a clematis…they are so beautiful. I would also buy some flowers for my Nana and Papa’s gravesite
groceries, when is fridge getting low long time till pay day
GROCERIES!! 100 percent!
I would buy a variety of plants to make unique hanging baskets. Love to do geraniums in the middle, then staggered petunias and lobelia around the outside. Colourful and fills out really nicely.
we only shop at loblaws stores so this would go towards groceries or home stuff or clothes for my kids!
I need to do something like that for my patio! easy sprucing!
I would put it towards some patio lanterns I’ve been wanting to buy :)
I would buy groceries with this card !
I would add to my chocolate stash!! :-)
I’d buy items for a BBQ!
I would love to buy a few more plants both veggie & flowers with a gift card from President’s Choice. I always buy my plants at the local store, I love the quality and the guarantee even tho I never need it.
My neighbour created a lovely portable herb garden so I think I’d make that.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
I kind of hate to say it, but I think I would spend it on groceries. We could really use some groceries to fill our fridge right now.
Jen I’d love to win this for plants this year even though I’m late cause Idid have funds to purchase any yet! Thanks for the chance to win with you!
Some herbs, new clematis, and perennials
Our gardens could use some new top soil and mulch..
Full grown plants! I am having a difficult time with a chipmunk and my flower sprouts…
This year I needed one of my planters for strawberry plants while I cleaned out the bed and left them in it. The other planter I sprinkled free wildflower seeds into so I didn’t have to buy plants this year. A gift card would go towards fruits and vegetables as I am trying to eat healthier and take better care of myself.
I would purchase citronella and milkweed and some new planters!
I would buy food for the BBQ!
Hanging plants!
some new soil for the boxes
I’d buy some planters for the backyard deck & some solar garden lights! Cheers:)
I’d buy groceries with the gift card.
Probably some adorable new Joe clothes for the kids.
I would def be adding a new DIY potted plans for my front porch! I really want to try one with succulents and flowers!
I need some new pots from the garden centre – mine are plastic and have cracked. Would love to get some of the sturdy ones!
wow great planters. wish mine turned out that nice
More plants, of course!
I’d buy some more herbs for my herb garden and replace my dying cilantro. I’d also buy some cucumber and pepper plants.
Your planter looks lovely! I would buy some pretty annuals to cheer up the garden… Geraniums, petunias, lobelia.
I would buy groceries
I could use some more nice planters
I use this gift card to purchase some flowers for my back patio deck, thanks for the chance to win!
I would buy some nice colorful plants for my back patio. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
I’d buy groceries.
I would get some nice flowers for the garden.
Looks great! We need a new pot, and a base, for beside our door, so that is what I would use the gift card for.
I would stock up on treats to watch my favorite shows…..heh I’m an old bachelor
I would love to get a lovely hanging plant for outside my door and the rest on groceries.
I’d buy stuff to fill our families medicine cabnet
This giveaway is great
I’d buy some new garden pots and flowers. You can never have to many flowers!
The planters I have are more than overdue for an upgrade so this would work great!
Some planters
new pots
With the gift card I would buy some phlox, I love the scent and they will come up each year.
Groceries would be my number one priority.
Some flowers for my house
I would buy plants and gardening supplies.
I would buy some herbs.
I’d buy some annuals and perennials so that the flowers would bloom into the fall too.
Something to brighten up my front garden – there’s a whole lot of green in there, but no color
I’d purchase some new, more modern looking planters.
I’d buy some perennials for my gardens.
groceries
some annuals – and a new lawn ornament
I’d plant me an herb garden :)
I would love to start my own herb garden and would use towards that!
I would like some vegetable and herb plants.
Herbs & groceries
Great ideas and tips, thank you! I would put the gift card to very good use getting some plants!
I’d buy some groceries
some new plants and prob a few groceries ;)
I would buy seeds and planting pots for our garden.
I would buy a few more herbs… Some thyme, rosemary, chocolate mint, cilantro…
I would buy groceries!
The planters and flowers are beautiful, but I would buy groceries.
I would buy new cushions for my patio chairs
I would love to buy some blueberry plants.
Pretty sure it would go straight to groceries. Or maybe some picnic items, love some of the summer serving items I’ve seen there lately.
i WOULD BUY SOMETHING SIMPLE FOR MY APT. , I DO NOT HAVE A YARD!
I love Superstore! President’s Choice all the way!
I would buy an assortment of herbs to make a small herb container garden on my deck…..love using fresh herbs over dried :)
Thank you for the great planter tips Julie!! I would use the gift card to make myself a planter for the front porch which gets the morning sun. I would buy tall grass and a lot of colour, similar to yours! I would also like to buy Lanterns to hold candles in the evening. :)
Id love to buy some flowers for my garden
Would be nice to win a gift card. :)
Would be nice to win a gift card, would buy flowers. :)
We are starting fresh and need new planters to replace our old plastic ones.
I would buy some new gardening gloves, planters and plants to fill them!
Food
I only help with the gardening….so your tips are much appreciated