It’s hard to choose favorites, but I dare to say that Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, PA, (outside of Philadelphia) is definitely in my top 5 of great gardens – anywhere. The grand vistas and formality of nearby Longwood Gardens (surely a treat to visit as well) stands in contrast to the intimate feel and general informality of Chanticleer. Every inch is planned and planted with creative touches that just astound me. Best known and beloved of the garden features to behold at Chanticleer are the numerous containers throughout the property.

Container plants can coordinate with – and add to – the style and look of a garden room.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

The containers on either side of this entrance add great interest and drama throughout the seasons.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

Sometimes the best drama can be achieved with an empty container that accents a well-designed landscape.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

Some garden areas shine best with thoughtful combinations of different types of containers and bold plantings.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

Repeated terra-cotta pots along the patio’s rill water feature create a tranquil, yet stimulating, effect.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

The popular use of trellises in containers provides an exciting vertical element in the landscape and allows you to grow showy vines.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller

Although some of these contained creations may seem far more involved than what you think you can handle in your own garden, the principles behind them can be used by anyone, anywhere. Here are some container lessons I learned from my most recent Chanticleer visit that you can try when creating your own potted beauties.

Uniformity vs. variety: Each garden room or section of Chanticleer has its own “feel” and type of container. Before picking containers for your garden, look around your home landscape. Some areas may best be complemented with uniform planters all made of the same material in the same style, while others may shine with thoughtful combinations of differing planters. Repeating the same container in significant numbers provides instant uniformity. Even if the pots aren’t made of the same materials, try to match the planter style in a grouping. For example, modern, square containers made of different materials (like metal, wood, stone and plastic) can still provide a uniform feel. If you’d prefer to create a quirky, whimsical garden atmosphere, I recommend combining many different container styles, colors and materials instead.

Composition: A lone container that puts the final touch on an entire garden can be far more effective than gobs of containers throughout. Consider using planters in your landscape as you would sculpture or garden art – a little can go a long way. Or sometimes the repetition of containers can draw the eye to another part of the garden you wish to feature, or punctuate an otherwise dull expanse of lawn. If your garden is formal and symmetrical, use pairs of containers or work with an even number of pots. If your garden is informal and asymmetrical, work in odd numbers of pots (and plants) and avoid pairing containers.

Scale: An intimate seating area in your garden usually calls for smaller containers planted with fine-textured plants. However, one large container with bold foliage texture that creates a “back” to a bench can be effective as well. Always consider planter size when decorating with containers. You don’t want anything to get lost, but you don’t want the containers to overwhelm your garden either.

Material: The material that containers are made of has a large impact on the feel of your landscape, too. Traditional materials like stone or terra-cotta can convey a vastly different tone than metal or wood containers. Personally, I like to match containers with the hardscape materials in patios, walkways or vertical structures in the landscape. The type of house you have and the materials it’s made of are good guides as well. An ultramodern house, for example, may call for shiny metal containers to blend in, while a wooden Cape Cod may beg for matte stone planters. Similarly, the color of your containers can make a big statement in the garden.

Seasonality: Because containers are generally portable, they’re wonderful garden features no matter where you live. What’s more, you can easily – and affordably – change containers with the seasons. If you live in a colder region and your containers are made of a material that will endure winters, then you can site them permanently and plant container shrubs or evergreens to capture year-round interest. Plant annuals or perennials around those trees or shrubs for more interest and color – either for the whole growing season, or you can change them periodically. Perhaps you have an ensemble of containers that looks best in a particular season and then needs changing or removal at other times of the year. That works, too. (Anything is possible if you plan ahead.)

The choice and placement of containers is an art form that the gardeners of Chanticleer have mastered. There’s no reason why you can’t do it as well. Include containers in your landscape to enhance your garden season after season – and create a piece of paradise that’s like no other.