2023 READER CONTAINER CHALLENGE

This is the time of year that containers are top of mind for every gardener. Half the fun of planting them is trying out new combinations or swapping plants out for new looks each season.

- Sherri Ribbey

Grand Prize Winner!

Stacey Toomey, PA

Stacey won a pair of Corten® steel containers from Gardener's Supply Co. (gardeners.com) valued at more than $300.

The other half is seeing what other gardeners have come up with a little inspiration can really get the creative juices flowing. Last year we put out a call to readers asking them to send in their best container designs so we can share them with everyone here. The response was amazing-our readers really know how to put together beautiful containers! Thanks to everyone who sent in an entry, and congratulations to our winners on the following pages. The Grand Prize winner and two Runners Up received some beautiful containers from Gardener's Supply Co. Take a look and you're sure to find one (or several!) that will encourage you to try a new plant or color palette in your containers this year.

1st Prize Foliage

Our grand prize container by Stacey Toomey is a 60×14-inch windowbox that's attached to an east-facing window in part shade. The antique shutter she secured to the front provides interest when the plants are still small.

To provide a foundation for the design, Stacey bought three 12-inch preplanted hanging basket combos from the garden center that included wing begonia, inch plant and potato vine. They're positioned on either side and in the center of the box, leaving a few gaps that she filled in with individual 4-inch pots.

Maintenance is simple for this windowbox: water, feed and trim. These are vigorous plants, so once the roots have filled in, it will need almost daily watering in summer. And a liquid plant food at full strength every 12 to 14 days will help keep growth strong and the foliage colorful. Finally, snip any wayward stems back to a leaf joint as needed to keep a balanced look.