20 Hosta Container Ideas for Shade

Happy Monday GPODers!

Lana Williams, owner of Oakland, California-based plant shop and design company The Tender Gardener, is known for her gorgeous step-by-step plant recipes for creating lush outdoor planters. In Lana’s latest book release, The Container Garden Recipe Book, she’s revealing fabulous floral and frond combos that will have you making plant and pot pairings like a pro. Here she shares a few seasonally appropriate tips on the types of statement plants and containers to use as we transition from late summer into fall.

“Impossibly unaffordable” are two words that Californians are probably less than thrilled to hear. In a recent report from Chapman University in Orange, California, and the Frontier Centre of Public Policy (FCPP) in Canada, that’s exactly how four California metros are described. The 2024 edition of Demographia International Housing Affordability shows San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego listed among the top 10 least affordable housing markets—not just in the United States, but worldwide. 

Feeling stuck in a rut? We have selected the best plants with warm tones for your window boxes, they are not only perfect for fall but all growing season. These plants will instantly boost your mood and breathe life into the gloomiest bits of your home. Deck up your patio, balcony, porch, or even living room with these sunny plants!

Maybe you want to grow zinnias from seeds for volume, cuttings for cloning your favorite pick, or division for your container garden! Whatever your reason, we list down the choicest ways to propagate zinnias!

For those of us who garden in small spaces, container gardening strikes an ideal balance between structure and flexibility. Potted plants can be rearranged as often as necessary, which makes it easy to accommodate new additions and to ensure that each plant gets the sunlight or shade it requires. Compared to traditional in-ground beds, container gardens also give us a bit more control over factors such as water, weeds, and pests. I’ve spent the past few decades creating designs for roof decks, balconies, courtyards, and patios in San Francisco. Through this work I have discovered that the key to container gardening success is always the same: finding a mix of appealing plants that are well suited to each garden’s specific climate and light conditions. Using my home garden as a testing ground, I’ve developed some strategies that anyone can use to create lush urban jungle and cohesive container displays that truly stand out from the crowd. 

Gardening can sometimes be quite heavy on the pockets! So, if you love growing plants but are not well financially, don’t sweat it! Here’s how to save money without compromising on leafy friends. Check out these cheap and affordable garden and backyard ideas if you’re on a budget.

Howard Nemeroff began his career in horticulture as a sales manager for a commercial greenhouse. When it was time to break out and build a plant business for himself, his initial plan was to offer clients garden maintenance and care, but he quickly realized that a more creative endeavor was in demand. Howard used his experience selling tropical plants and designing dish gardens at his former job to establish Plant Parenting, Inc., a company that offers many services but most notably creates award-winning container gardens.

When it comes to landscaping, hydrangeas and hostas are extraordinary partners! Both promise year-round beauty, and their shade-loving nature uses up every inch of the garden. So, are you ready to turn your dim spaces into an explosion of colors? Read on!

Would you like to perk up your garden this winter?  This guide to the best winter plants for pots has lots of gorgeous plant suggestions to inspire you.

How to Grow Broccoli in Containers

How to Grow Eggplant in Containers