Good question. Some plants will grow bigger in the ground than in pots if the soil is really good, unless the potting soil is really great. If the potting soil is less than perfect, the plants in pots will be slower growing. (My Potting Soil Recipe).
I’ve said for years that plants in beds will grow faster than plants in pots. I usually say this because most people don’t have their potting soil exactly where it should be when they first start, so planting in beds makes more sense until you get your potting soil in good shape.
We put a lot of Potentilla in pots this year, but I put about 10 of them in a landscape planting to use as stock plants. The plants in the pots are far out growing the ones that I planted in the bed. Why is that? The pot soil must be pretty close to right, and the plants in the bed are small and covered with 3 inches of bark mulch. Not enough roots in the ground? Have we been watering the plants in pots more often than the ones in the bed? Most likely.
I possibly could be wrong, but every time I think I know something, I see something that makes me change my mind.
The soil in your yard should be good enough for plants in beds to grow faster than plants in pots. Unless your potting soil is near perfect.
It is easier to take care of plants and keep weeds away from them when they are in pots because you can pack them close together and then spread them out as needed. Once the plants fill out the pot the weeds don’t have much room to grow.
Putting plants in the ground? It takes a lot of energy and time to get plants out of the ground. Digging season starts after Thanksgiving and ends about mid April in zones 5 and 6. Other zones are similar but the window is longer in the far north and shorter in the south.
If you plant in the ground, mulch the beds. We worked hard and spent a lot of money this spring to mulch all of our Japanese maple beds. What a difference. We used a pre-emergent herbicide on the whole area because weeds started to show up in the isles weeks before the mulched beds did. The mulch was good for the plants, kept the weeds down, and I think it held the pre-emergent better than the soil.
It’s hard to get rid of weeds when plants are too far apart, even when they are close together. You’ll spend a lot of time “managing those weeds.”
Gardening is an ever-evolving art As you gain experience and try new techniques, you discover creative ways to improve the health and aesthetics of your outdoor space. One popular trend that has emerged in recent years is incorporating flower pots into mulch beds This simple method allows you to get creative with colorful annuals while enjoying the benefits provided by mulch. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore why placing pots in mulched beds can take your garden to the next level.
An Overview of Flower Pots in Mulch Beds
The concept is straightforward – rather than confining flowers and greenery to freestanding pots and planters, you nestle pots of various sizes directly into mulched garden beds. This saves space while producing a charming, cohesive look The mulch helps reduce weed growth while conserving moisture for the potted plants Meanwhile, the flowers and foliage help disguise the pots to create a seamless, flowing garden design.
There are many benefits to incorporating flower pots into your mulched beds:
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Saves space while allowing more flexibility and customization in garden design. Pots can be moved and rearranged as needed.
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Provides excellent drainage for potted plants while reducing watering needs.
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Helps control weeds and moderates soil temperature.
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Allows you to add splashes of color with annuals among perennials and shrubs.
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Creates a polished look as the mulch hides the tops and sides of pots.
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Adds height, structure, and visual interest to garden beds.
With a little creativity, flower pots and mulch work together to take your landscaping to the next level. Now let’s explore this concept in more detail, including execution.
Choosing the Right Mulch for Flower Pots
The mulch material you select as your foundation is an important decision. You want an organic mulch that will enrich the soil as it decomposes over time. Some popular options include:
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Wood chips or shredded bark – These natural mulches are widely available. Bark has a neat, tidy look that can enhance the structured, polished aesthetic.
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Leaf mulch – Made from shredded leaves, this is an inexpensive and eco-friendly choice. It may need to be replenished more frequently than wood options.
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Compost – Compost offers nutrition-rich organic matter for your soil. Aged compost with a crumbly texture works best.
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Grass clippings – Fresh clippings can mat, so dried and aged clippings are ideal for mulching. They break down quickly to fertilize soil.
Avoid inorganic mulches like pebbles, gravel, or plastic sheeting. They don’t improve soil health over time. A 2-3 inch layer of your chosen organic mulch is perfect for nestling flower pots.
Getting Creative with Flower Pot Selection
When choosing pots for your mulched beds, let your creativity run wild! Consider:
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Size – Incorporate a mix of sizes and scales for visual interest. Cluster 3-5 small pots or pair a large pot with several tiny accents.
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Color – For a cohesive look, match pot color to flowers. But don’t be afraid to contrast bright pots with deep mulch.
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Material – Terra cotta, ceramic, and plastic planters all work. Match durability and style to your needs.
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Shape – Round, square, cylindrical – try different forms and combinations in each bed.
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Decor – Embellished pots add whimsy and personality. Opt for painted, mosaic, or planters with artful cutouts.
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Hanging baskets – Hang trailing flowers above beds for dazzling vertical appeal.
Don’t limit yourself to traditional flower pots. Repurposed tea cups, buckets, and other vessels make charming planters in mulch beds!
Best Annuals for Pots in Mulched Beds
When selecting plants, opt for annuals that can withstand being moved around and thrive in pots. Top options include:
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Petunias – These flowering stalwarts bloom continuously in bright colors like purple, pink, and yellow.
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Marigolds – Cheerful marigolds produce sturdy stems and flowers in sunshine yellow, orange, and red hues.
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Million bells – Also called calibrachoa, these flowers cascade gracefully from pots with abundant blooms.
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Geraniums – Available in many colors, geraniums combine well with other annuals and make great centerpiece plants.
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Coleus – Grown for its vividly colored foliage, coleus provides long-lasting color and texture.
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Sweet alyssum – Known for its honey-like fragrance, this low-growing annual cascades daintily from pots.
Mix and match colors, textures, and growth habits for stunning combinations. Don’t forget the foliage plants like ferns, ivy, and grasses to provide greenery.
Design Tips and Tricks for Flower Pots in Mulch Beds
When designing your mulched beds with integrated flower pots, keep these tips in mind:
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Use larger containers as focal points, planting tall flowers like geraniums or small shrubs in them.
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Cluster smaller pots in groups of odd numbers like 3, 5, or 7 for visual impact.
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Anchor potted arrangements with trellises, arches, and obelisks for vertical interest.
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Weave vines like morning glories in and out of pots to tie the look together.
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Use potted herbs or succulents as lush fillers around larger planters.
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Try geometric patterns to create organized, polished beds with pots.
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Contrast round pots with architectural square planters for depth.
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Use pots to create fun “rooms” or “garden spaces” within beds.
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Nestle pots among perennials, shrubs, and ornamental grasses for texture.
With a thoughtful layout and whimsical plant choices, your flower pots will feel like part of the garden bed, not random add-ons.
Caring for Potted Plants in Mulch Beds
The good news about incorporating flower pots into mulched garden beds is that care and maintenance are minimal. Here are some best practices:
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Check soil moisture frequently, at least once a day in warm weather. Pots dry out faster than garden soil.
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Lift pots and feel their weight to gauge water needs. Light means dry soil.
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Water thoroughly until excess drips from pot’s drainage holes. This prevents salts from accumulating.
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Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooms. Deadhead plants like petunias and marigolds.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and diseases. Isolate and discard any infected plants.
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Replenish mulch as needed to retain a 2-3 inch layer around pots.
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Move pots around! Rearrange annually or whenever creativity strikes.
The beauty of this system is that it’s low maintenance when set up properly. The mulch and quality potting mix allows you to focus on enjoying these living works of garden art.
Achieving a Polished, Professional Look
Nestling flower pots in garden beds takes this gardening technique to the next level. For the signature polished look, follow these tips:
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Use sharp edges between mulched beds and lawns. A tidy border goes a long way.
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Conceal pot tops and edges in mulch so they seem to blend with beds.
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Group pots at varied heights for dimension, mounding mulch to stabilize.
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Make sure mulch is fresh in appearance, fluffing and raking as needed.
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Prune overgrown annuals and perennials to keep a tidy, curated look.
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Clean debris from mulched beds and remove fallen leaves/petals promptly.
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Choose pots in a coordinating color family or a neutral tone like terra cotta.
Take pride in maintaining the details. Weed diligently and make small improvements over time. Soon your beds with artful pots will have that sought-after magazine-worthy garden appeal.
Get Creative with Flower Pots and Mulch in Your Garden!
The trend of tucking flower pots into mulched garden beds is here to stay. This simple technique allows for almost endless creativity and customization in your outdoor space. It saves room, reduces maintenance, and keeps plants healthy in an aesthetically pleasing way. Be bold, have fun sourcing unique containers, and pair colors thoughtfully. Approach your flower pots and mulch as an art form to discover new ways to enhance your garden.
Mistakes are costly and information is cheap.
I could write a book on the mistakes that I made that have cost me thousands of dollars. Last spring I made a mistake that cost me $1,000. That’s right, a quick, cool one thousand dollars out the window because I did something dumb. In that particular case the difference between success and failure was somewhere between one and two inches. Can you believe that? It’s true. I could have easily made $5,000 and instead I lost $1,000 because I was off by one inch.
Are you one of the many people that are trying to grow and sell plants without having to buy my system?
If that’s the case, I wish you the best and would like to give you some more free advice that will help you.
RESTORE your Mulch Beds in 3 EASY Steps
FAQ
Is it OK to plant flowers in mulch?
Do plants grow better in pots or in the ground?
Can you put pots in a flower bed?
How do you mulch a flower bed?
Follow these steps for beautifully mulched flower beds: You need a clean slate for mulch, so start by ridding your plot of any debris, fallen leaves, and plant remnants. Remove the existing mulch if you want a fresh start. Bag up dyed or inorganic mulch for proper disposal. Old organic mulch should go to your compost pile.
Can you use wood mulch on flower beds?
If you are using wood mulch on flower beds, apply about two inches of mulch. This will help conserve soil moisture while also preventing weed growth. Is It Okay to Use Colored Mulch on Flower Beds? Colored mulch refers to woodchips that are dyed red, black, brown, or other colors.
How to choose the best mulch for flower beds?
To choose the best mulch for flower beds for your garden, you should consider the soil type, weather, and types of mulch. Mulch is good for plants and flowers as it provides an extra layer that not only makes your flower beds look more stunning but can also boost the plants’ health.
What is a good mulch for potted plants?
The bark is the outer part of the tree and rougher when compared to soft wood chips. Pine bark is the most famous one, but spruce and fir bark are also excellent choices for mulching your potted plants. Bark lasts longer than other organic materials used for mulch, which is why most growers prefer using it.
Is compost a good mulch for flower beds?
Compost acts as a great mulch for perennial and annual flower beds because it boosts soil fertility, retains moisture, and reduces household waste. To add weed suppression to its list of benefits, apply a thick layer (3 to 6 inches) of compost mulch around your flowers.
Can You mulch a potted plant?
Potting mixes aren’t always attractive, and if you want your plant to fit into your modern, minimalistic aesthetic design, you can always mulch it with some bark, wood chips, or even some decorative stones and gravel. Just imagine, we’ve finally found a way to keep our plants happy and pretty at the same time!