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Container Gardens: Over 200 Fresh Ideas for Indoor and Outdoor Inspired Plantings
Lack of space? Lack of time? No gardening experience? Need inspiration? Is it the doldrums of winter? No matter the issue, Southern Living magazine has the answer to make sure everyone has a beautiful garden year-round with the brand's newest book on container gardening. Container Gardening is a smart and sensible guide that covers the basics for the beginner as well as inspirational ideas for the experienced gardener. There are step-by-step techniques and tips on planting and care for indoor and outdoor spaces, including plant 'recipes' that combine different plants for a beautiful aesthetic, while still being low-maintenance, easy-care plants. This book also shows how containers can be sued to create unique boundaries, break up wall space, and soften edges. With the flexibility of gardening year-round no matter the size of the space, container gardening has become a national trend and Southern Living magazine has created the ultimate guide to doing it right.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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April 6, 2017I want I want I want I want I want
June 12, 2023
Container Gardens by Southern Living is a super introduction to container gardening of all sorts. It covers outdoor statuary to indoor pots. There are vegetable pots leaning into raised beds with inspiring photos on every page. Simple ,basic instruction clearly goes over soil type, fertilizers, containers , plant supports and more. A nice selection of plant variaties are spot lighted. Overall a nice book featuring the Southern planting zones 6 thru tropical 10. Makes me eager to start some new container plantings.
February 28, 2017
This book discussed indoor and outdoor container gardening, though mainly on the outdoors. It's written for people in the South, zones 6-10, though much of the advice would be relevant anywhere. The book covered how to select containers, using potting soil, and choosing and arranging the plants. There were many pictures showing various arrangements along with the information about which plants were used. This would be a great book if you want advice or ideas on how to arrange the plants and the containers to best effect.
For outdoors, they talked about hanging pots, window boxes, on porches and such, on pedestals, on walls, and using a trellis. They talked about annual and perennial plants (including bulbs), small woody plants, and (briefly) succulents. For indoors, they mainly told you what plants might do well indoors and how to arrange these plants to look pretty. They very briefly talked about terrariums, air plants, and topiaries. Indoor ideas took up 32 pages, edible plants took up 42 pages (mainly listing information you'd find on a seed package), and outdoor plants took up 107 pages.
The book made container gardening sound like a breeze, but I already know it isn't that easy. I was disappointed that I didn't glean much to help with the problems I've had with growing perennial herbs in containers. Part of the problem is that I'm aiming for the long-term and this book focused on arrangements intended only for a season (like Fall) or, at most, Spring to Fall.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
For outdoors, they talked about hanging pots, window boxes, on porches and such, on pedestals, on walls, and using a trellis. They talked about annual and perennial plants (including bulbs), small woody plants, and (briefly) succulents. For indoors, they mainly told you what plants might do well indoors and how to arrange these plants to look pretty. They very briefly talked about terrariums, air plants, and topiaries. Indoor ideas took up 32 pages, edible plants took up 42 pages (mainly listing information you'd find on a seed package), and outdoor plants took up 107 pages.
The book made container gardening sound like a breeze, but I already know it isn't that easy. I was disappointed that I didn't glean much to help with the problems I've had with growing perennial herbs in containers. Part of the problem is that I'm aiming for the long-term and this book focused on arrangements intended only for a season (like Fall) or, at most, Spring to Fall.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
October 5, 2017
Very pretty, and the pictures certainly speak louder than words.
However, despite being a "Southern" Living book, I live a little too far South for it to be of much use to me. Where I live - in South Florida - most of those very attractive container plantings would be fried to death within the day. The writers do mention that the lack of winter chill adversely affects many plantings in my gardening zone; but in my experience thus far, the summer temperatures (avg. of 90, June-August, and often a "feels like" temperature in the 100s+) are far more deleterious to my attempts at growing most things. I suppose a South-Florida-only container gardening book would have too small of a target audience. Unfortunately, with the exception of the indoor container chapter, this book was not really applicable to growing things in my neck of the swamp.
However, despite being a "Southern" Living book, I live a little too far South for it to be of much use to me. Where I live - in South Florida - most of those very attractive container plantings would be fried to death within the day. The writers do mention that the lack of winter chill adversely affects many plantings in my gardening zone; but in my experience thus far, the summer temperatures (avg. of 90, June-August, and often a "feels like" temperature in the 100s+) are far more deleterious to my attempts at growing most things. I suppose a South-Florida-only container gardening book would have too small of a target audience. Unfortunately, with the exception of the indoor container chapter, this book was not really applicable to growing things in my neck of the swamp.
January 3, 2019
Despite its limitations of being focused on and written for the southern states, this book is brilliant. Colorful photos on every page, enviable landscapes demonstrating possibilities, and simple suggestions with easy and clear step-by-step instructions make any reader, no matter how novice, believe they can garden. From flowers to foliage to food, this book guides you through creating the perfect space—indoors or out. Multiple color wheels with suggestions on how to best use them, and container recipes to follow (either exactly or similarly) enlighten and educate. The authors even make helpful suggestions of what to think about before heading to the store and what to bring with you when you go. I loved every page of this book and actually really want to purchase it. I’d be interested in seeing similar books for the other regions of the U.S.
June 17, 2024
If nothing else, read this book for the pictures. Wow! Design and decor... I now want to turn my entire house into a jungle. It covers everything about plants in containers. Outdoor arrangements, placement, and types of plants go in what types of containers, indoor plants and their needs, and the best types of food plants to grow in containers. This book covered so much, and it is GORGEOUS. Four out of five stars to Container Gardens by Southern Living.
August 29, 2017
This is a beautiful book, full of great ideas for anyone who wants to grow container plants in just about any situation. The book provides instructions for indoor, outdoor, vegetable, floral, simple, and complex designs. It gives clear construction and care instructions.
Whatever your taste in gardening is, this book has a container idea for you.
Whatever your taste in gardening is, this book has a container idea for you.
May 16, 2021
An excellent resource with some recommendations that unfortunately don't work for my growing zone. The book is SO full of information that it honestly feels a bit overwhelming. Lovely photos and lots to digest slowly here.
May 11, 2017
Always looking for ideas of wonderful blooming plants in our winter wonderland. Make me happy to see Spring.
June 1, 2022
I was impressed with a lot of these arrangements. Not all the plants are available where I live, but I am inspired to tackle my own pots today.
March 3, 2017
Even here in Los Angeles I sometimes see Southern Living magazine in the grocery store. And this book on gardening in containers is a beautiful book - and especially well-illustrated. It not only explains the how-to's, such as soil-less mixtures and why you need to change it out occasionally, but the fundamentals of designing a grouping of flowers based on textures or colors. And not just flowers but vegetables, too. But I was surprised as well to see a section devoted to houseplants, which has inspired me to add some more plants to my office at work. All in all, a very beautiful book that is especially welcome in the middle of a very wet winter. (I rec'd a copy of the book from Amazon Vine.)
February 16, 2017
When I lived in Southern California, I got excited about container gardening. This book is written by the Editors of Southern Living but it most of the plants featured are suitable for California, New Mexico and Arizona. I have started again here in Texas with a cactus, most of everything that I have planted here has been eaten by the wildlife! The zones for the South have a special section,it is good to know which plants will thrive in your area.
The book is richly illustrated, the colors of the plants are true and beautiful to look at. There are divisions into The Basics of Container Gardening, Entryways and Outdoors Spaces, Vertical Gardening, Indoor Containers and Edibles. It has an index in the back so that you can look up your plants. I am using this book mainly as a reference book for when I want more information or even inspiration. My favorite sub chapters are Tough Guys and Semi-Tough Guys. and Succulents. Those are the easiest to grow. Jade plants are so easy to grow that after two years we had them in plenty of different sizes. We hated to toss out the volunteer plants so we were were soon giving them the away.
I highly recommend this for beginning container gardeners and for those who want to try a different kind of plant in containers.
I received this finished Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.
The book is richly illustrated, the colors of the plants are true and beautiful to look at. There are divisions into The Basics of Container Gardening, Entryways and Outdoors Spaces, Vertical Gardening, Indoor Containers and Edibles. It has an index in the back so that you can look up your plants. I am using this book mainly as a reference book for when I want more information or even inspiration. My favorite sub chapters are Tough Guys and Semi-Tough Guys. and Succulents. Those are the easiest to grow. Jade plants are so easy to grow that after two years we had them in plenty of different sizes. We hated to toss out the volunteer plants so we were were soon giving them the away.
I highly recommend this for beginning container gardeners and for those who want to try a different kind of plant in containers.
I received this finished Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.
March 29, 2017
Really liked this book. Great ideas on how to garden in a container and be successful.
Great ideas, easy usable ideas and suggestions and wonderfully illustrated with beautiful picture.
Great ideas, easy usable ideas and suggestions and wonderfully illustrated with beautiful picture.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews