The following information has been supplied by Pamela Crawford.

Three baskets on columns will stop traffic in your neighborhood! The columns are three staggered sizes, as are the baskets. Be sure to place the wooden columns at least four feet apart because the baskets grow quite large. To see planting and column installation videos, click here. For sizes or buying info, click here.

This trio requires quite a few plants - 80 for the sides and along the top edge. I use multipacks of inexpensive annuals - like wax begonias and coleus. These multipacks average 50 cents per plant, or $40 for all the plants except the centerpieces. I spend a bit more on nice, large plants for the centers.

Light: Full sun to light shade.

Season: Spring through fall for most areas. Also thrives in winter in areas where the temperatures stay above 45 degrees. This plant mix takes temperatures from about 38 degrees to the low-90's in full sun. In light shade, it withstands higher temperatures into the high 90's.

Lifespan: Five to seven months.

Care: Fertilize on planting day with a good- quality, slow-release mix (to buy, click here). I pinched the coleus back about every three weeks so that it remained compact.

Water: Water when the plants show signs of wilt or the soil feels dry when you push your fingertip up to your second knuckle into the potting mix. I watered this one every day (after it was about a month old) in mid summer and every other day in cooler weather.

Planting plan: Pink pentas and blue salvia for the centerpieces. Pink wax begonias, blue torenia, coleus, and silver dusty miller around the sides and along the top edges.

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See full list of Pamela Crawford's container gardening ideas.


About Pamela Crawford
Best-selling author Pamela Crawford has written 5 container gardening books about combinations that she has planted and grown at her home. Her creations are not only beautiful but easy to grow as well. easygardencolor.blogspot.com