Types of Containers
The only "rules" that apply to selecting a container is that it needs to be able to hold soil and allow drainage. Apart from that, let your imagination wander.
Clay pots: Their ability to blend with plant material and "get better with age" makes them the long time favorite of most gardeners. Clay pots tend to be heavy when filled with soil. This is a good feature where wind is a problem and bad if you want to move them around. Clay pots are also porous so they will tend to dry out quicker making watering a key maintenance issue. They come in a variety of styles and sizes. They do tend to be a little more costly than comparable pots.
Plastic pots: These have taken the place of the clay pot. They come in all types of styles, colors and sizes. Their light weight makes them easier to move around, and because they are not porous, soil does not dry out as fast. Be sure there are adequate drainage holes. Holes are often found along the sides as well as in the bottom. This insures soils will drain properly.
Window boxes: These are simply rectangular boxes. Traditionally these were hung outside windows. Now they can be found hanging on fences, on deck rails and along the perimeter of patios. Window boxes can be made of wood, plastic or wire. When selecting wooden boxes, look for those made of redwood or treated lumber to minimize problems due to rot. Also, because of the limited soil volume, watering can become a maintenance issue.
Hanging baskets: These have become very popular as container gardens to decorate overhead spaces. Baskets are available in wood, plastic and wire. Wooden baskets tend to be slated and are usually reserved for plants such as orchids, and some ferns. Plastic has become the material of choice for many baskets. They come in a variety of sizes, with ample drainage holes. Plastic baskets are also available with planting holes in the sides. This allows you to put plants into the sides resulting in a sphere of plant material when it has grown together. Wire baskets offer the ultimate planting container. With sizes up to 3 feet in diameter, wire baskets can accommodate a large number of plants and make a spectacular display. Wire baskets are usually lined with sphagnum moss prior to filling with soil. They are also available with pre-formed paper mache or coconut fiber liners. Wire baskets also allow for planting through the sides.
Because of a basket's open design, they dry out very fast. Wire, moss lined baskets are especially prone to rapid drying. They are aesthetically very pleasing but require a good deal of attention when it comes to watering. Hanging baskets of any type need to be properly hung, because they become very heavy after watering. Also, be aware that water dripping out of the bottom may affect what is below the basket.
Everything else: When gardening in containers, don't be limited by only those containers you can buy. Remember that anything that can hold soil and that can have a drainage hole becomes a candidate for a container. This allows your imagination, creativity and personality to soar. Items such as old sprinkling cans, wheel barrows, shoes, kitchen pots, cement blocks and sewer tiles can become places for plants growing in them.
