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Container Theme Gardens: 42 Combinations, Each Using 5 Perfectly Matched Plants
Simple and foolproof! Enjoy beautiful container plantings with no stress or fuss. Container Theme Gardens offers 42 plans for container arrangements, each using just five specific plants that you can find at your local garden center. There's something here for every setting and every style, including a meadow in a box, a pond in a pot, a simple salad garden, and a combination that will attract hummingbirds. Each plan includes photographs of what the full planting will look like, as well as a handy shopping list so you know exactly what you need.
272 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2015
31 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Nancy J. Ondra
22 books28 followersI garden at Hayefield in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Now in its 23rd year, Hayefield includes about three acres of managed meadow and one acre of intensively planted garden and open shrubbery areas.
A freelance garden writer, editor, and photographer, I also sell home-grown seeds and blog about my favorite plants, combinations, and other gardening topics at http://hayefield.com/
A freelance garden writer, editor, and photographer, I also sell home-grown seeds and blog about my favorite plants, combinations, and other gardening topics at http://hayefield.com/
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 17, 2015
So you know how it's probably cheaper to make your own container of several plants, but you never seem to make it as creatively as they do at the nursery?
Well now there is a book that will tell you exactly what 5 plants to put together for 42 different planters. There are also alternative ideas for each planter in case you can't find one or another of them. She describes how the grouping will change over the several months it will last, and also gives tips and tricks for the care of each grouping.
The book starts with "anyone can do it" instructions for exactly what to put in the planter and how to move the plants from the small pot into the container. The author also says how best to water them.
Each of the 42 container themes has a fun name. For example, "Growing Sunshine" (yellow themes), "Singing the Blues", "Sparkling Silvers", "Back to Black", "Hummingbird Haven", "Pond in a Pot" (yes, it is what it sounds like!), "Pot of Tea" (the herbs can be used to make tea and look beautiful), "Living Perfume", and so many more.
The bright photographs are stunning and are fantastic for helping you and the nursery folks identify the plants you want when you go searching. The container options are endless and you'll see a variety of ideas. She goes into some discussion of the pros and cons of different types of material for the containers from ceramic, to wood, to plastic, to several others. You can also search the internet for images of unusual planter ideas.
The author does an amazing job playing with textures, shapes, colors, and other little details that make each arrangement unique. Some include herbs or small edibles, scented beauties, and a lot of unique ideas. I assume most of these can be grown across several climates because I didn't see anything about zones.
If you still think you won't utilize this book yourself, consider giving it as a gift...there's a good chance you'll end up gifted with a container inspired by this book from the person who receives it!
The book doesn't come out until December 2015, but it's a perfect time to gift the book for Christmas. You can pre-order it on Amazon here for 19.95. I'm not usually one to link to where to purchase, but I think this is a winner for yourself or as a gift.
Thank you so much Netgalley and Storey Publishing for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2015
This was just what I needed.
When we moved into this house 6 years ago it was a blank canvas more or less because of it being a new build home.
Grass, patio [which we later extended] and some bushes and that was about it.....our garden!
We have build on it over the years added structures etc but I always wanted to find something different to do and I found this in this book!
A pond in a pot yep, you read that right. I had never heard of anything like it, but its going to work, I am going to do this. This is just ONE idea from this book, there are so many others. I think this would work whether your garden was small, big or even a yard. Lots of compact things in here that you could try out and experiment with.
Even how to plant salad, have your very own "food patch" absolutely brilliant. It has full pictures so that you can see full grown plants. I really loved looking at the photos.
What I especially loved was the bit of what to plant that attracts different species into your garden.
Also a nice shopping list that you can see exactly what you need to buy to start and complete your task.
Lovely layout.
I would like to thank Storey Publishing via Net Galley for my copy
February 15, 2020
I found quite a bit of useful information here--especially container plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
May 11, 2024
Loved that they gave suggestions in case you can’t find their specific plant ideas.
June 10, 2019
3.5 stars. I loved the explanations this book gave when pairing plants, and how it really broke down aesthetics to a formula (different plant sizes and colors). I also liked how they talk about zones and types of containers, which could help people keep their plants alive. The section on salad gardening and herbs was really great, too. That being said, I wanted a little more on plant care and selecting plants based on climate, not just zone. Either way, this is a good starting point for novice container gardeners!
March 20, 2023
I love the gorgeous pictures in this book! It's too early for me to start gardening 😭 but there's lots of good ideas, alternative suggestions, and descriptions that have me chomping at the bit to get started! Also have me a lot of good ideas for plants I already have but didn't think about putting in a container.
March 6, 2018
Lots of creative ideas for plants and containers, seasonal arrangements, color blending and arranging. Suggest you have something high, rim level and something overflowing to interesting container plantings.
March 4, 2020
Really pretty, and some care info, but I personally would need more care details, down to whether or not each plant is annual or perennial, etc. I also wonder if some of the plants might not be hard to find in certain areas, and if some combinations might not work as well in certain regions.
March 31, 2018
Easy instructions and tips, but what I loved most is how it sparked so many great ideas! And the pictures of the finished product and each individual plant were beautiful as well a helpful.
June 8, 2022
I could buy this book, it’s got wonderful pictures, clear instructions, plant lists and alternatives, and inspiring choices. I can’t my wait to try some!
January 16, 2023
A comprehensive guide to container gardening! Beautiful ideas with great information all in one place. Has me ready for spring!
Read
March 13, 2024logging it since I just recommended it to a patron and need it to be easier to find!
April 7, 2024
Lots of wonderful ideas that seem easy to follow even for an inexperienced gardener. Time will tell if they really are as easy as the author makes it seem!
December 12, 2015
Whether you are an expert at gardening and have spent years fulfilling your ideas of how you want your yard or patio to look like, or if you are someone who is new at gardening and do not know anything-this book is for you! I have had a yard and places to have plants for most of my adult life; but now I just have a patio as I moved to an apartment two months ago, so when I saw the title of this book, I got curious. I have been trying to figure out what to do with my small area to make it look good and colorful. Here is the answer. Container theme Gardens-and 42 different ideas no less.
First of all I looked and read through this book and I had never really thought about what to use I just always bought clay pots! People-there are all kinds of things one can use- terra cotta, plastic, hardwood, ceramics, copper, cement, the trick is knowing how to keep the plants looking good in whatever you choose. The choices are endless and there are benefits to all of them.
Second the idea of this book is to match 5 different plants that will blend together perfectly and do well. I found out that some plants do better in the fall and winter or the spring and summer-there are some plants that do well year round. Some do better in one type of container but not another. This book helps you take guessing out of planting and keeping your space lovely!
Then there is the different types of soil you should choose, and fertilizer, and vitamins! To top that off there are plants that are chosen because they are upright and add dimension to the pot, while other plants fill the container horizontally, and this book shows so many pictures of plants that are chosen to go together for their color, the way they grow, how long they last, whether they are going to die off after a season or are plants that will last forever!
Then there is pots that are put together for herbs! For salads! To be put in the shady part of the patio, or in full sun. There are plants for the people that are hardly home during the day so they spend time in their garden after dark, and here is an example of what this book covers- "To deter mosquitos pinch off a few leaves of lemon balm, crush them to release their oils, and then rub them on your skin."
There are even pots of fun and colorful edibles which are 5 types of berries! That you can eat! This is just an example of the different types of 5plant containers that they feature in this book.
One good thing about reading this book is that you will walk away with a wealth of knowledge about plants, color, what goes good with what and how to pick out things that will be good all year long or during different seasons of the year!
You will also learn how to grow things that are lovely and that you can use-like an herbal pot of wonderful herbs to be used to brew up a cup of tea! Or having a pot on your windowsill with herbs you use for cooking with-thyme, oregano, rosemary, triple curled parsley, chives. You get the picture and in the book you will SEE the picture of pots like this.
The one that really caught my attention was the "pond in a pot" where you have plants that live in water like they do in a pond, and it takes up virtually no space but you learn about pond plants growing together that are compatible and look great and it gives you an idea of what you can use if you actually do decide to build a pond! This small container had water calla, variegated japanese iris, corkscrew rush,water lettuce, and red stemmed parrot's feather; these are shown floating in a cobalt blue resin bowl and the water is only a few inches deep and the plants are perfectly happy!
I can go on, but the benefit to reading this book is obvious-for me I learned a great way to decorate my patio having many different styles of plants and containers, and the places to put them and I am sure that I will be experimenting for a long time until I get it just right!
I gave this book 5***** botanical stars and I am purchasing this book for my library so I always have a wonderful reference guide! I would like to thank the author for allowing me to receive an ARC of this awesome book and I will always treasure it!
First of all I looked and read through this book and I had never really thought about what to use I just always bought clay pots! People-there are all kinds of things one can use- terra cotta, plastic, hardwood, ceramics, copper, cement, the trick is knowing how to keep the plants looking good in whatever you choose. The choices are endless and there are benefits to all of them.
Second the idea of this book is to match 5 different plants that will blend together perfectly and do well. I found out that some plants do better in the fall and winter or the spring and summer-there are some plants that do well year round. Some do better in one type of container but not another. This book helps you take guessing out of planting and keeping your space lovely!
Then there is the different types of soil you should choose, and fertilizer, and vitamins! To top that off there are plants that are chosen because they are upright and add dimension to the pot, while other plants fill the container horizontally, and this book shows so many pictures of plants that are chosen to go together for their color, the way they grow, how long they last, whether they are going to die off after a season or are plants that will last forever!
Then there is pots that are put together for herbs! For salads! To be put in the shady part of the patio, or in full sun. There are plants for the people that are hardly home during the day so they spend time in their garden after dark, and here is an example of what this book covers- "To deter mosquitos pinch off a few leaves of lemon balm, crush them to release their oils, and then rub them on your skin."
There are even pots of fun and colorful edibles which are 5 types of berries! That you can eat! This is just an example of the different types of 5plant containers that they feature in this book.
One good thing about reading this book is that you will walk away with a wealth of knowledge about plants, color, what goes good with what and how to pick out things that will be good all year long or during different seasons of the year!
You will also learn how to grow things that are lovely and that you can use-like an herbal pot of wonderful herbs to be used to brew up a cup of tea! Or having a pot on your windowsill with herbs you use for cooking with-thyme, oregano, rosemary, triple curled parsley, chives. You get the picture and in the book you will SEE the picture of pots like this.
The one that really caught my attention was the "pond in a pot" where you have plants that live in water like they do in a pond, and it takes up virtually no space but you learn about pond plants growing together that are compatible and look great and it gives you an idea of what you can use if you actually do decide to build a pond! This small container had water calla, variegated japanese iris, corkscrew rush,water lettuce, and red stemmed parrot's feather; these are shown floating in a cobalt blue resin bowl and the water is only a few inches deep and the plants are perfectly happy!
I can go on, but the benefit to reading this book is obvious-for me I learned a great way to decorate my patio having many different styles of plants and containers, and the places to put them and I am sure that I will be experimenting for a long time until I get it just right!
I gave this book 5***** botanical stars and I am purchasing this book for my library so I always have a wonderful reference guide! I would like to thank the author for allowing me to receive an ARC of this awesome book and I will always treasure it!
March 5, 2017
Gorgeous book, but not up my alley. I'm about 36% interested in this sort of container gardening, and this book was about 36% interesting to me (i.e. super MEH). There's a lot of variety within the color schemes/etc., but zero variety in the sense that it's 99.9% ornamental plants all in the same size pots.
Clearly for the right audience this book might get a much higher rating.
Clearly for the right audience this book might get a much higher rating.
January 14, 2016
Container Theme Gardens: 42 Combinations, Each Using 5 Perfectly Matched Plants by Nancy J Ondra is a resource that is currently scheduled for release on January 26 2016. This book helps gardeners of all skill levels create container plantings with very little stress. It maps out 42 plans for container arrangements, each using just five specific plants that are readily available. There are a variety of themes and ideas so there should be something for everyone; including a meadow in a box, a pond in a pot, a simple salad garden, and a combination that will attract hummingbirds. Each plan includes photographs of what the full planting will look like, as well as a handy shopping list and alternatives so you plan accordingly.
Container Theme Gardens is a well organized and thorough collection of information to help start and maintain themed container gardens. I liked the variety of themed gardens, based on color, season, location, wildlife, the container being used, and other special themes. Space needed, plant sizes, and plant care are included. The full color photographs of the individual plants used and the possible finished products are helpful and inspiring.
Container Theme Gardens is a good collection of ideas and plants combinations. I liked many of the settings and found the variety to be nice. The only thing I found lacking was the hardiness zones, although with seasonal containers that is not always relevant.
Container Theme Gardens is a well organized and thorough collection of information to help start and maintain themed container gardens. I liked the variety of themed gardens, based on color, season, location, wildlife, the container being used, and other special themes. Space needed, plant sizes, and plant care are included. The full color photographs of the individual plants used and the possible finished products are helpful and inspiring.
Container Theme Gardens is a good collection of ideas and plants combinations. I liked many of the settings and found the variety to be nice. The only thing I found lacking was the hardiness zones, although with seasonal containers that is not always relevant.
October 14, 2016
5 plants, 42 combinations = lovely container theme ideas.
This is friendly, easily readable and interesting book about creating your comfortable gardening space without needing to have a yard/garden. Containers are practical middle way between real gardening and having a limited time.
The authoress Nancy J. Ondra offers 42 combinations (and even alternatives for each of the plants used). There was a lot of plants I have never heard of before and some of them I need immediately! :)
There is a lot of georgeous photos and an all-year-long information for planning for every project, and even a lot of tips and ideas.
I particularly love these projects: "Spring Cheers", "Kid Attraction", "Pond In A Pot", "A Pot Of Tea" and "Living Perfume".
Yet, I would love to have more info - being a pot lover myself :), I grow a lot of plants. And even if generally they don´t need much care except of watering/good pot/good environment, I would love to know more about diseases, fertilization and trouble shooting.
Having said all that, this is a lovely idea for a gift for any beginners and advanced gardeners interested in the container gardening.
This is friendly, easily readable and interesting book about creating your comfortable gardening space without needing to have a yard/garden. Containers are practical middle way between real gardening and having a limited time.
The authoress Nancy J. Ondra offers 42 combinations (and even alternatives for each of the plants used). There was a lot of plants I have never heard of before and some of them I need immediately! :)
There is a lot of georgeous photos and an all-year-long information for planning for every project, and even a lot of tips and ideas.
I particularly love these projects: "Spring Cheers", "Kid Attraction", "Pond In A Pot", "A Pot Of Tea" and "Living Perfume".
Yet, I would love to have more info - being a pot lover myself :), I grow a lot of plants. And even if generally they don´t need much care except of watering/good pot/good environment, I would love to know more about diseases, fertilization and trouble shooting.
Having said all that, this is a lovely idea for a gift for any beginners and advanced gardeners interested in the container gardening.
April 28, 2016
Great photography. A logical progression of pots and plants with five plants for each design. I garden a great deal, and this is strictly a personal observation. I don't care how many books you look at about putting together planters, or yards. You can live in a large city with the most sophisticated nurseries available to you, and you still won't be able to get the exact plants and hybrids you need that are shown. As long as you go into studying garden books with this wisdom, you'll know how to adapt.
January 1, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
With the variety of containers available today, these ideas from Ms. Ondra present the gardener with so many choices. Whether by color, season, shade or sun, these 5-plant container themes are gorgeous. Including many unusual plants, I would recommend these ideas for all flower gardeners. Recommended.
With the variety of containers available today, these ideas from Ms. Ondra present the gardener with so many choices. Whether by color, season, shade or sun, these 5-plant container themes are gorgeous. Including many unusual plants, I would recommend these ideas for all flower gardeners. Recommended.
February 28, 2016
Tons of ideas for container gardens on any kind of theme you could imagine - containers emphasizing different colors, containers that bloom year round or that bloom beautifully in a particular season, containers with plants that are especially fragrant or are edible. The photography is beautiful, with photos of the containers and close-ups of each plant.
March 5, 2016
I enjoyed the layout and pictures--very user friendly for even the most novice gardener. The color themes were nice, and I appreciated the seasonal breakdowns. I wish there would have been a few more food-growing options.
July 11, 2016
Most of the gardens in this book catch my eye and i'd love to own this book just for the visual stimulation. There's definitely a formula to her work and it is one I'd like to perfect. There isn't much meat to the book though beyond lovely photos.....
March 4, 2016
Love this idea, plenty of options and I liked how they gave us substitutions for plants. I like how each section was broken up by what color, or them you were going for. Easy to follow
April 4, 2016
I like the 5 plant palette concept and even more important they suggest alternates to their combinations.
April 10, 2016
Definitely plan on returning to this as soon as I start dipping my toe into the water of container gardening. Great, modern themes with interesting plants.
March 29, 2016
Mostly just looked at the pictures. Plenty of awesome ideas!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews