Learn Secrets from a Pro: Renowned container designer, Rita Randolph shares the foolproof "recipes" behind her favorite masterpieces. Follow her expert tips, techniques, and design ideas to create gorgeous plant-filled urns, hanging baskets, barrels, terra cotta pots, and any container you like.

Inspired Ideas for Container Plantings Gorgeous photos will inspire you with specific ideas for spring, summer, and fall/winter. Plus our Regional Gallery showcases outstanding container plantings from across the country.

For Beginners and Seasoned Gardeners With this expert guide, you'll select the right soil, choose the right plants, and discover the secrets of planting great pots!

Welcome Spring

Spring is the start of it all -- the time when everything you have dreamed about since last year becomes possible. These possibilities come alive with your first plant picks of the season. Reliable, hardy foliage, rather than delicate, fickle flowers, has always been my first choice when creating a container arrangement.

Another factor I consider when choosing plants is finding the right ones for the right situations; plants won't thrive in unsatisfactory conditions. With these basic ideas in mind, you can start your spring container combinations in a variety of ways, but the following two approaches seem the easiest to me. You can shop for plants and then go find a suitable container, or you can have a gorgeous container and then go look for the perfect plants to go in it. Whichever way you choose to start, picking plants and containers that inspire you is a sure way to create something fabulous.