AN ANNUAL AFFAIR

Combine a designer's best advice with the year's new varieties for a summer's worth of showstopping containers

- MEGHAN SHINN

New Jersey garden designer and educator Laura Janney works from the premise that plants bring happiness. Through her design studio, The Inspired Garden, she helps homeowners determine their preferred garden style, then draws up a plan that will create true joy.

Containers factor significantly into her work, with clients requesting pots and planters that are colorful and dramatic, especially by the front door.

"Clients who approach me for container designs want to create a welcoming entrance and enhance curb appeal, making their home feel inviting right from the first glance," she says, adding that they also want the plants to persist with minimal input and to avoid damage from New Jersey's ubiquitous deer. Keeping these main criteria in mind, Laura sources seasonal plants and creates dynamic compositions. While container designs will always vary a bit to match the home's style and the client's color preferences, she adheres to some principles and plants that have proven themselves invaluable.

STARTING POINTS

Laura points out that an outstanding container design really starts with the container itself.

"When selecting containers, I prefer ones that are circular at the top with a 15-inch diameter," she says. "This size is ideal because it's large enough to make an impact but not so large that it overwhelms the individual beauty of the flowers." She also points out the benefits of taller containers. These really highlight the plants, and in the larger view they add height and save space.

For the actual design, Laura recommends aiming for a balance of color, height and texture-but she believes there's one key to a perfect design.