From Ordinary to Outstanding: What Sets Great Container Gardens Apart
CONTAINED
BRILLIANCE
Last month, I had the privilege of judging the City Living Gardens at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, selecting the winner for All Around Best Container Garden Display. As a container gardening professional, I had the pleasure of judging alongside two incredible women - Grace Hensley, a professional garden photographer, and Barb Wise of Crescent Garden. It was a fun, inspiring, collaborative, and insightful experience.
The judging criteria, developed by Digging In Association, provided a useful framework that went beyond show gardens, but also revealed what makes any container garden go from ordinary to truly outstanding.
And while some of the criteria were tied to the theatrical nature of a show garden, much of what makes an award-winning container garden can also help us fine-tune our designs, step up our plant choices, and turn a so-so arrangement into a container garden that truly shines.
So, what separates a great container garden from an exceptional one?
A Strong Connection to Its Surroundings
A standout container garden isn’t just a collection of pretty plants in pots. It should feel like a natural extension of its environment. Whether on a patio, balcony, or nestled into a garden bed, a well-designed container should echo the style, theme, and mood of its surroundings while serving a clear purpose. It might frame an entryway, soften a corner, or even provide privacy.
Key Elements to Consider
Pot Selection & Integration
- Containers should complement the aesthetic, style, and mood of the space.
- Pots should scaled appropriately —neither too large nor too small for their setting.
- The design and color of the containers should feel intentional, not like an afterthought.
Thoughtful & Culturally Appropriate Plant Selection
- Choose plants with compatible growing conditions - no mixing of sun-lovers with shade-dwellers or drought-tolerant plants with thirsty ones.
- Be mindful of the season. Tropicals have no place in a winter-themed arrangement.
- Consider the plant's habit and mature height so they don't outgrow the pot too quickly and overwhelm the arrangement.
Strong Design Principles
A well- designed container planting has that elusive WOW factor! At its core, good design is what sets apart a forgettable arrangement from one that stops you in your tracks. The most striking container plantings showcase:
- Texture – A mix of fine, medium, and bold textures adds depth and visual interest.
- Repetition – Echoing similar shapes, colors or plants creates rhythm and harmony.
- Proper Scale – Arrangements feel balanced and proportionate to their surroundings.
- Smart Use of Color – Whether bold or subtle, color choices should be intentional.
- Overall Cohesion – The best designs feel like art. Nothing is accidental and every element plays a role.
Innovation and Fresh Ideas
Just like fashion and interior design, trends in container gardening evolve. The best displays at the show featured.
- Unexpected Plant Pairings - Combinations that challenge tradition but work beautifully together.
- Creative Planting Techniques that Inspire - One stand out was a staking and support method that added both beauty and function to the planting. Another creative touch was using a live-edge table as a vessel for planting succulents.
- Bold Containers – Painted, patterned, and repurposed planters that elevated the entire display.
Attention to Detail
The final layer that separates a good container garden from an exceptional one? A keen eye for detail.
- Clean and Polished Presentation - Planters should be wiped down, free of debris, and devoid of lingering nursery tags, or unsightly ties. Stakes, supports and irrigation should blend into the planting not stand out as eyesores.
- Healthy, Thriving Plants - No yellowing or browned foliage, or out-of-season spent blooms. Plants should be healthy, well-maintained, and free or pests or disease.
It’s the little things that create a refined, professional finish—one that makes you stop, stare, and feel inspired.
Bringing it All Together; Inspiration for Your Own Containers
Judging these well-designed City Living Gardens served as inspiration and a wonderful reminder that container gardening is both an art and a science. Every container is an opportunity to craft a living breathing masterpiece. Whether you’re designing a single planter or curating an entire collection, keeping these principles in mind will elevate your designs and help you create something truly special.
So, as you plan your spring containers, ask yourself:
- Does my design feel intentional?
- Does it reflect the space around it?
- Am I using strong design principles and fresh ideas?
If the answer is yes, you're well on your way to creating show-stopping container gardens that don't just fill a space, they transform it.
Happy Container Gardening!
Hi Cindy!
I’m loving your blog! My take-away from today’s blog is INTENTIONAL. Each year, as I learn and grow my own garden preferences I add new elements to my garden. What I struggle with is getting rid of tired bulbs, perennials from containers that I created years ago, and old (cheap) pots that don’t offer a cohesive feel. Do you have any tips for getting rid of unwanted-tired plants/bulbs? It’s so hard for me to throw them “in the back 40”.
Thank you for this post! I’m inspired to garden with the above 3 questions in mind with an emphasis on INTENTION. 🙂
XOX, Julie
Hi Julie,
Thank you SO much for sharing your takeaways. Intention is such a powerful word – and you’ve always practiced it beautifully. The struggle of composting and letting go is REAL, and you’re not alone in it. I’ve definitely had my moments of clinging on to plants and pots that no longer serve me and my garden. Here’s a few tips that have helped me with the struggle:
Reframe the toss – instead of thinking of it as waste, think of it as making room for creativity and better alignment with where you are now as a gardener.
Compost what you can – if the plant isn’t diseased, it’s organic matter and can give back in a new form.
Donation pile – There may be community gardens, retirement centers or neighbors that can love on those “not right for me anymore” pots, bulbs or plants.
I’m so glad the post resonated with you! And yay for gardening with intention. Keep me posted on how it all evolves for you.
Great article!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad you found something useful in it. Especially with your experience.