How to create outdoor summer flower containers that are easy and maintenance free.

Something is quite special how flowers and plants make any space beautiful and welcoming as well as celebrate any given season. In this post are tips for arranging summer annuals in containers, all you have to do is plant these types of annuals and let nature do it's job, the more they grow the more the design comes together and did I mention they are maintenance free.

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It's easy to find summer annuals during the end of spring into the summer months. These selected plants will add height and various levels of interest to your containers, they are easy to care for even for the beginner.

When you are choosing annuals keep in mind if your container will be in a sunny, part sun or shady area and choose your selection. Keep full sun, part sun or shade plants in the same containers. A shade loving plant will not appreciate being grouped with a sun loving plant and placed in full sun, you will see tags like above to help you select your plants.

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You will need a decorative container, inner container (optional), potting mix, rocks for drainage (optional) and a mix annual plants and flowers.

A good potting mix of your choice that is rich and well draining for container planting, is all you need, this potting mix is for growing plants and flowers, has fertilizer that feeds up to 6 months. If you select a potting mix like this during the season you will not have to worry about fertilizing, we are going for maintenance free! If you prefer organic go for it, no need to fuss much or overthink what potting mix to buy, just buy what you like and start planting.

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The plastic container above will be placed inside a decorative container, it has a lot of draining holes so no rocks will be used at the bottom for drainage, You can always keep the decorative heavy pot in place and just pop in these containers, even rotate around to different areas to change up the look during the season.

If you don't have a inner container with good drainage place rocks at the bottom of your container before filling with dirt, most planters do come with a drainage hole at the bottom which is highly recommended even with rocks at the bottom.

If you have potting mix from the previous season you can always dump it in a large container or bucket and combine it with some new potting mix, to loosen up and refresh. Then refill your containers with the refreshed mix.

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Add height to your containers with an accent plant:

Dracaena Spike:

These plants will be centered in the middle of the container and will add height.

It is a plant that works best in sun, part sun or any combination, and likes well drained and rich soil.

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Begonias:

You don't have to worry about deadheading spent blooms from these flowers, all they do is just grow become bigger and produce pretty little flowers. They like part shade but do well in sun also.

If you need to its fine to loosen up the bottom of the root ball to fit inside the container.

Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and place in the soil, once put in its place, the top of the root ball should be level with the top part of your mix.

These containers are starting to take shape with the height from the Dracaena Spike and pop of color with the delicate little flowers from the begonias on the side edge, now the next group of plants will follow.

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Trailing plants:

The Vinca Vine (green) plant on the left will add a trailing effect to your overall look, while the Broad leaf Purple Lady to your right will grow upward and trail as well.

Buying annuals can get expensive, you can make one plant into two by breaking apart where it has a natural space, during the season it will fill out.

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The Coleus:

Comes in many colors likes full sun, part sun or medium shade, leaves are most vibrant when placed in the sun, they do not like dry conditions so please water when dry spells are present in the summer.

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The Duranta:

Is easy to grow and thrive in well-drained moist soil, will produce purple/blue flowers. Usually the sweet potato vine is planted in this spot just for a pop of vibrant color which is below, but I wanted to try something different this season.

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Other options of plants similar to the Duranta for the vibrant green color that will trail down your container and will look great:

Sweet potato vine:

Is a versatile plant, needs room to grow loves sun or shade and definitely gives a pop of color without any budding flowers

Creeping Jenny:

Will thrive in full sun or shade and easy to grow and will produce little yellow flowers.

Plantings are all in the inner containers and are ready to place in the decorative containers.

Watering tip: When you first plant your flowers it is recommended to water frequently (about 3 times a week) until established. After that they will only need watering when the top one or two inches of soil are dry (place a finger in the dirt if the soil around your finger is dry then it's time to water).

The planter front and center has colorful accents that complement each other, will produce little purple/blue flowers in mid summer from the Duranta, this container will not have an abudence of budding flowers and will be just as beautiful.

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These are in the beginning stage and will grow as well as fill out beautifully during the summer months, just water and enjoy. Added in are the purple pansies to the far right that were planted last Fall, survived through the winter, and are still going strong in the beginning of summer!

If you consider yourself a beginner or expert, these containers of summer annuals give you the same beautiful results and will serve as a welcome to you and your guest each day.

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I got great advice from my Mom, she's been planting flowers and landscaping for years. I can admit that I didn't know anything about planting flowers, but with her advise and the selection of easy to care for flowers, I can walk away knowing a thing or two.