“The greatest honor that can be paid to the work of art, on its pedestal of ritual display, is to describe it with sensory completeness.” – Camille Paglia

If plants are art, and I believe that they are, then they too can (and sometimes should) be placed on a pedestal. Enter the world of container gardening, or pot gardening. Container (pot) gardening is an elegant and tasteful way to create a garden oasis in your front yard, entryway, courtyard garden, backyard, rooftop garden or any other outdoor space around your home. Container gardens are excellent choices for the homeowner without a lot of time and/or a lot of space.

When making the decision between a traditional garden, whether that garden be purely decorative or functional, ask yourself several key questions.

1. Do I have suitable space for a traditional garden?

2. Are any of those spaces tillable?

3. Do any of those suitable spaces receive sunlight?

4. Do I have time to manage the planting and replanting of a traditional garden?

If your answer to any of those questions is no, you will want to consider container or pot gardening for your garden revitalization.

Container gardening is just like it sounds. Instead of creating a ground-level garden, you use pots for the gardening. You can have the containers custom built, which is a great option for container gardening because the materials can match that of the house, giving your backyard landscaping that professional look. You can also purchase the containers or pots at area hardware stores or specialty gardening stores. This is still a great option, and the variety of pots for gardening will surprise you. It shouldn’t be too hard to find pots that compliment existing hardscaping details around your backyard or frontyard landscaping.

Once you’ve found a pot, or consulted with a professional landscape designer, to find the right vessel for your container garden, you’ll need to have a goodidea of the area you’ll put them in. Putting them in the frontyard or your entryway will help you create better curb appeal, which will help you interest potential buyers and also give guests a welcoming impression as they approach. Containers built in the backyard (or a pot gardening collection) will add height and variety to these areas.

No matter what, ensure that all of the materials of the hardscaping, landscaping, and container gardens compliment each other well. The pot gardening is not meant to be the centerpiece of the landscaping. Instead, let it take a backseat to other elements, such as water features, dramatic lighting, and garden gates and arbors. Used appropriately and sparingly, they are a great addition to any professional landscaping plan.