We're making our list of Container Gardening Ideas great with a tip that will have you thinking outside the box—or planter. Consider using a cast-concrete pool for a miniature garden. You’ve probably already considered these for many other garden design applications, but they are far better suited to container gardening than you might have imagined. Because these pools are made to accommodate plumbing, there are already holes in the bottom that allow for drainage. Make use of what seems like a fortuitous accident, and capitalize on their often-wonderful designs. Then place plants like hostas, violas, and blue phlox straight in. They’ll grow wonderfully in their new pool that’s become a smart new planter.
Outdoor fairy lights can be bought online all year around and they're a quick, simple and cheap way to bring a pretty glow to a patio and beyond. You can arrange them through tree or shrub branches, attach them to fences and furniture, or suspend them from canes stuck into the ground. They can be run from a plug inside the house, so you don't need an electrician.
Trees and shrubs are some of the most important players in gardening ideas, and gardeners often give them the least amount of attention. It's easy to use them to make an impact, especially if you select varieties that have colorful foliage. Go a step further with this landscape idea: Execute some creative pruning. Here, for example, sheared golden false cypress and columnar holly make for a delightful contrast against sheared purple barberry.
