Container Gardening Ideas 2

Even if you don't cook, there are many wonderful reasons to grow herbs. You can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy in the comfort of your yard, deck or patio. Plant lavender, peppermint and patchouli to relieve stress. Plant Rosemary for versatility. Besides being a great culinary herb, try adding a fresh sprig to your favorite shampoo.

The fragrance is wonderful and it's great for your scalp and hair. Grow Stevia for an all natural sweetener. Just toss the leaves into unsweetened iced tea or your favorite herbal variety.

I stopped growing tomatoes the traditional way many years ago. I buy the patio varieties which are hybridized for compact plant size and maximum yield. They are available in cherry, plum and many larger sizes. Pepper plants are easy and appropriate for containers. I love growing chili peppers and jalapenos. I freeze them for later use in Chili, Salsa and Jambalaya. If you're a bit more adventurous, add scallions and radishes to your container gardens. Just remember you have to dig them up.

I'm a big fan of window boxes. When I was in college and living in Boston, I loved the amazing window boxes in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. Brick, concrete and cobblestone were everywhere. The window boxes warmed everything up. In the spring and early summer, it's wonderful to see the freshly painted wooden boxes spilling over with flowers and trailing vines. Now there are so many choices available it's hard to decide. If you're not into painting, try concrete, fiber or metal. I love the wrought iron cages with the lift out copper boxes. Everything is weather coated for years without maintenance. Every year I see innovative plant designs in window boxes. Just recently, I noticed some unique choices such as hostas, miniature roses, woodland ferns, tulips and tiny Juniper topiaries. It's inspiring to see such diversity in creativity.

Most people think of sunny annual flowers when it comes to container gardening. As a result, the opportunities for shady areas are often overlooked. Shade loving plants often create the most interesting gardens. Try Helleborus, Hostas, Ferns, and Caladium. Finish off with some brightly colored impatiens for drama...