There’s a reason container gardening is so alluring; whether you are planting on a small lanai or in a 3-acre backyard, you can have a stunning garden. Your imagination is the only limit.
Containers can define and complement a space, so consider size and finish when choosing the appropriate containers for your project. Here are some options, put together by Dan Muir and Aja Muir, of Tropical Garden Accents.

Go with the glaze.

The glazed line of pottery is available in both square and oblong shapes in a variety of sizes.

Glazed pottery is sealed completely on the outside and holds moisture much longer than porous containers.

This line, available at Tropical Garden Accents, comes in a wide selection of colors, with a choice of solid or two-toned glazes. These containers make great “statement” pieces.
Here, fresh, green, monochromatic plants complement modern, angular pots. The sizes of the containers work with the sizes of the plants.

Achieve this look by keeping plants proportional to pot size. Large, broad leaves require a large pot. “Using broad-leafed plants is a good way to fill space quickly and create a bold look,” says Aja. “Large containers are a good choice for large foliage as it keeps your design to scale.”

Get down to Earth.

When placed in shaded or moist areas, these pots will take on a fine, green moss, giving your garden an aged look.

The containers (at right) are Tropical Garden Accents’ toughest. They can stand up to almost any weather conditions our Islands throw at them.

Raw-clay, earthen pots are high-fired and sandblasted. The high-firing process gives the containers varying smoky shades of gray and creates a more durable material. “The walls of the earthen pottery also tend to be thicker, therefore more durable,” says Aja.

Because the containers are not glazed, they are very porous, allowing plants to breathe and roots to grow. This makes them great vessels for drought-tolerant plants or those that require plenty of aeration.

Remember the rustics.

“Every one is a little different,” says Dan, of the Rustic line. “They have little flaws and characteristics.”

The neutral color of rustic pottery lends itself nicely to richly colored plants. This allows the containers to serve as a background, letting the beauty of vibrant plants shine.

When it comes to arrangement, keeping the tallest container in the center, accented by smaller pots on the sides, achieves a sense of balance. Also, keeping containers of great sizes at the foot of thin columns (left) helps to ground and define the space.

“Grouping containers creates more of a visual design than just a singular planter,” Aja says. “When you layer the look by using different sizes, you are able to showcase the plants and see them better.”