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my pots are driving me potty!
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by rosalba (U4525566) on Monday, 4th April 2011
Dear All
I was looking at my patio yesterday, trying to figure out why it looks so messy and un coherent, and it dawned on me that its down to my pots!
I have quite alot of plants in pots, but the trouble is they are all different kinds of pots, different shapes and sizes, colours as well.
I used to just pick a pot that was a bargain, without thinking about co herence, it never bothered me, but now it does!
Over the years I have managed to collect lots of pots one at a time, I tend to have one of everything and it looks so scruffy. I think my tastes are changing because now I like much more restraint. I am not going to start getting rid of my plants but I am thinking of trying to bring more coherence to my pots. I cant afford to change them all at once, but im going to get rid of any tatty ones, and from now on stick to terracotta not glazed, and try and stick to similar shapes.
What is your opinion on pots? Do you like a random collection, or more co ordinated restraint?
Any tips on what do do with my miscellaneous pot collection?
Many thanks -
Message 2
Posted by As_Iff (U13951957) on Monday, 4th April 2011
I don`t have many pots, but I was looking across at my neighbour`s pots. Hers are all the same terracotta colour, quite similar to each other, but I don`t think they`ll look any better than your mixed collection, Rosalba.
This is a poor time to be looking at the pots. Maybe they`ll look better in a couple of month`s time when they are brimming over with flowers and foliage. -
Message 3
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Monday, 4th April 2011
I completely agree with this. I also just bought pots to grow in and would now love a more coordinated look. A lot of my terracotta have cracked so I have been looking at metal pots. I would love to paint or cover my plastic ones to create a better design on the patio.
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Message 4
Posted by Inkadog (U14278499) on Monday, 4th April 2011
I have a selection of ceramic pots as well---but each has a plastic pot that fits inside, so I can move my plants around and bring the tender ones inside the greenhouse for winter.I put pea gravel in the bottom for drainage. It's also easy to store the ceramic pots in winter, empty of course.
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Message 5
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Monday, 4th April 2011
i like all the same . you can get bulk discounts sometimes on pots if you ask
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Message 6
Posted by grassisgreener (U14569661) on Monday, 4th April 2011
I have lots of pot different shapes, sizes, colours, i just group them in different parts of the garden and match the colour of plants i put in them i would think i have at least 100 pot.
Helps with a bad back as i find digging hard now a friend lifs them on to a stage for me to plant and puts them where needed.
You could try painting then all one colour if you dont like them as is, shape not so important if you have flowers spilling over edge.
Sue, -
Message 7
Posted by rosalba (U4525566) on Tuesday, 5th April 2011
Thanks for the feedback, I really enjoy hearing other peoples opinions and thoughts
And thanks mister grow it all for the tip on asking for discount, I will keep that in mind!
I am now wanting to get rid of all my pots and start again from scratch but my budget wont strectch that far!! -
Message 8
Posted by rosalba (U4525566) on Tuesday, 5th April 2011
The pots ive decided I really like are these
and these
Which do you think look better?
can you see any pros/cons?
many thanks -
Message 9
Posted by As_Iff (U13951957) on Tuesday, 5th April 2011
Just to add to your confusion, Rosalba, I think the first one is nicer looking, but the second looks sturdier, less likely to blow over in the wind.
No help at all eh?
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Message 10
Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Wednesday, 6th April 2011
The first pot does have a cleaner design. Stability is also an interesting factor. And it also depends on what you intend to grow - both from the point of view of stability, and also certain pot shapes are better suited to either tall-growing, or short-overflowing flowers.
I've got a few pots, of many different kinds.
Terracotta is classic material, though the actual design styles can date. You might not to be able to top up with a few more of exactly the same design in a few years time.
Some of those South-American ethnic designs from Pot Co look rather cool.
You have to be careful with terracotta if the pots are to be left outside during Winter. Terracotta can easily disintegrate with frost. Some terracotta is specially designed to be frostproof. The Pot Company does claim that their pots are frostproof. Crocus don't actually say.
Some terracotta-looking pots (though not the ones you showed) are actually made from cement, with a thin clay covering. They only last outdoors for one season.
Glazed pots tend to stand up to frost better. There you have a much wider scope of designs, but glazed designs also date.
A few years ago Chinese dragon designs were very popular, but you can't get exactly the same designs today (so one may end up with valuable collectors' pieces; worth a fortune in 100 years time). Then cobalt-blue was very popular for a while. Then, last year, maroon glazing was the colour.
I've also got a few very large terrcotta-looking pots, made of moulded plastic. For big plants, plastic does have an advantage, because they are easier to move than clay terracotta, which can weigh very heavy, especially when filled with soil-based compost. And plastic is frostproof. -
Message 11
Posted by rosalba (U4525566) on Wednesday, 6th April 2011
Many thanks As iff and Gary
As iff - I actually agree with you, the second option is more sturdy looking but also a bit more rustic, overall I think I prefer the first option
Gary - thanks for all the helpful info, you are right about designs dating too, I think thats why I like the crocus design as it seems quite classic rather then fashionable
Lots to think about
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Message 12
Posted by cleverelliejo (U13778549) on Wednesday, 6th April 2011
I have been given many different pots over the years by family and friends. I love them all.
People have taken the trouble to find and give me things they know I 'll make use of and enjoy.
They are all colours, my garden is an absolute picture every year.
I see other gardeners with matching pots, they all look lovely.
I suppose if I was starting from scratch it would be nice to collect one type, but the ones I have, give me huge pleasure. -
Message 13
Posted by rosalba (U4525566) on Thursday, 7th April 2011
Hello Cleverelliejo, thanks for your feedback, its nice to hear how much pleasure you get from your pots
If i remember rightly you have lots of beautiful roses in your garden? Do you have any in pots?
Eventhough I am trying to cut down on pots, I would like to plant some roses in pots (im hopless!) this year, and am wondering what shape they would be best suited to, as Gary pointed out some things are more suited to certain shapes.
I think I am edging towards option1
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Message 14
Posted by cleverelliejo (U13778549) on Thursday, 7th April 2011
rosalba,
Thank you mentioning my roses.
I have 2 small patio roses in pots.
Prefer to have them in the ground, but the 2 I have are really tiny and the pots are a good size.
I can only move them with help. so rarely do.
I don't think the shape matters as long as the size is right. -
Message 15
Posted by crouchee (U13371975) on Thursday, 7th April 2011
Call me an old fuddy duddy, but after a brief flirtation with blue glazed pots, I have always gone for terracotta. Often cheap, my local nursery is shifting some decent size second hand ones for £1.50 each, but occasionally wickedly expensive hand thrown pie crust edged frost proof jobs when I am feeling foolhardy with my purse.
I shall one day inherit my Mum's pots. She has a mixture, terracotta, glazed green, glazed blue and so on. She groups like with like around the garden. It seems to work! -
Message 16
Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Thursday, 7th April 2011
Hinde sight is a wonderful thing, if I'd known when first putting plants in pots I'd have so many today, then a more colour co-ordinated effect would have been part of the grand plan.
My favourite pots have to be terracotta, but I lost alot the year before last during the cold winter and so emptied as many as I could this year which were washed and put in the shed, the ones which couldn't be emptied were bubble wrapped which paid off with no losses this winter. I've also got some terrracotta coloured chimney stacks and plastic pots.
I've glazed pots in groups of five or three's of various sizes and more by accident than design have kept to terracotta or beige colours, some have an inca pattern on others are plain but last year I went for glazed black pots, have painted some plastic troughs black and got a mega bargin of two deep galvanised troughs in black from homebase for £5 each in the January sales. -
Message 17
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Friday, 8th April 2011
How did you paint the plastic pots?
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Message 18
Posted by rosalba (U4525566) on Friday, 8th April 2011
Many thanks for all the responses so far, I find it really interesting enjoyable to hear what you think and what you like dont like etc
I am now thinking of investing in one of these 1M raised toughs for my strawberries
I think im beyond hope! -
Message 19
Posted by As_Iff (U13951957) on Friday, 8th April 2011
Looks nice!
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Message 20
Posted by Baldinio (U2012448) on Friday, 8th April 2011
Hinde sight is a wonderful thing, if I'd known when first putting plants in pots I'd have so many today, then a more colour co-ordinated effect would have been part of the grand plan.
Ìý
Same here, pots are looking a little tired and uncordinated, time to get out the paint brush for those worth keeping and use the others for drainage. -
Message 21
Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Friday, 8th April 2011
Painting plastic pots....
I got the idea from another poster who painted some plastic chairs last year, very impressive and a re-paint revitalises stuff which you may otherwise throw away.
I think I used black gloss on a plastic trough, it needed two coats as the first left gaps but wood glue mixed with a matt mix pot (the type you can pick up in B & Q in the home decorating section) works better, you would need to give it two coats though.
I painted the sides but only painted as far as the soil line on the inside of the pot. -
Message 22
Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Saturday, 9th April 2011
I've tried growing full-size roses in large pots, but, for me, roses grow far better in the ground. I think it's because roses need more water than you might think. If you grow roses in pots, you need to bear that in mind.
I'm growing my strawberries in large tubs this year. I have five tubs, each 24" (60cm) diameter, each holding six plants:
That pot is quite old, and you can see that I tried painting it. That's not a good idea, unless you know what you're doing.
This is a plastic tub (same size) which I actually prefer, plastic is a lot cheaper, and easier to move around:
For strawberries, smaller pots may be more suitable, as large tubs take a huge amount of compost, although a large bulk does provide better water retention.
I have tried a vertical strawberry tower, and I found it very disappointing. It looks great in an advert, covered with hanging strawberries all around. But that just doesn't happen in practice. -
Message 23
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Saturday, 9th April 2011
Thanks for the painting plastic pots advice.
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Message 24
Posted by margaretstar (U14415248) on Saturday, 9th April 2011
I have only ever bought blues and sea-greens for glazed pots plus terracotta.
Last year I had to replace a big, beautiful turqouise pot for my acer palmatum.
Needless to say it's not in fashion now, but I found a good replacement in a fibreglass pot, made to look like copper with verdigris.
Not cheap, but I'm really impressed by the fibreglass pots as they are light, look a lot classier than plastic, but are totally frost proof.
I think they will last longer than plastic as well, but only time will tell on that.
Here is a picture, pleas ignore the ground elder - a new garden!
[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator] -
Message 25
Posted by margaretstar (U14415248) on Saturday, 9th April 2011
try again:
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Message 26
Posted by cleverelliejo (U13778549) on Sunday, 10th April 2011
Beautiful tree!
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Message 27
Posted by A4lsw (U14835946) on Sunday, 10th April 2011
This message may be too little, too late as you may have taken the plunge and purchased your chosen pots. Last year, at about the same time, I came to the same conclusion and was all ready to chuck out and start again when I was given a load of large hessian sacks, some from imported coffee beans and others from bird feed suppliers. I have put all my big pots into these sacks and instant uniformity was achieved. Once the foliage got going they didn't look bad at all and I really like the foreign logos painted on them. I know that eventually they will rot but I can use the time to begin a new collection of pots. It has also ment I can reuse some large plastic tree pots and grow bigger plants.
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Message 28
Posted by rosalba (U4525566) on Monday, 11th April 2011
Thanks to all for all the messages, and to Gary for the rose advice.
And thank you very much for posting the strawberry pictures, its very helpful, im still in 2 minds about getting that veg trug, and am now thinking I may just stick to pots! (im extremley bad at making decisions!)
And that Acer is beautiful, and the pot really suits it well.
Thanks to all, I have really enjoyed this thread so far
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