Date:  June 1, 2026  |   Story: Rebekah Hall Scott  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |  

The Good Earth Garden Center shares three ideas for colorful container plantings

Creeping Jenny, ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia, ‘Artist Blue’ ageratum and ‘Supertunia’ petunias spill over the edge of a container planted for full sun conditions.

When it comes to planting container gardens for summer, “the sky’s the limit, and it’s time to get going,” says Jennifer Gibson, horticulturalist at The Good Earth Garden Center in Little Rock. Jennifer says containers are a prime opportunity to expand your plant palette, as many plants do better in the loose structure of potting soil than they do in the ground.

“I love the ease of planting in pots, and from a design perspective, you’ve automatically lifted up your focal point of color, so it makes it even more dramatic,” Jennifer says. Contrast is key: she suggests including diverse flower and leaf shapes, foliage colors, and plant heights. “The joy is that you’re creating a little garden in and of itself within this pot,” she adds.

After planting, maintenance is key to keep the blooms coming. Check containers regularly to see how often they need water, whether through drip irrigation or watering by hand. Combined with a premium potting soil—which has a loose texture ideal for the smaller root system of annuals—and regular fertilizer application, container gardens can thrive in Arkansas’s summer heat, whether they’re sun- or shade-loving plants.

“You can’t do it wrong,” Jennifer advises. “It’s all about your style. It’s like when you’re picking out items for your home. You pick out what you like, and it ends up going together. Pots are very exciting for that reason.”

Sun Lovers
The sun-loving pink hibiscus tree, majesty palm, and crimson mandevilla form a tropical trio, each anchoring their respective pots. “A lot of the time, people put sun containers next to pools or out in the landscape, so they need a little more drama,” Jennifer says. Additional color, provided by blue scaevola and sweet potato vine, spills over the fired pottery containers.

Blue scaevola thrives in warm weather and will continue to produce blooms throughout the season

Pollinator Party
This terra-cotta pot features lavender and red pentas, honeybells, and salvia. “All of these blooms have a tubular flower in different shapes and sizes,” Jennifer says. “Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees all enjoy these.” The collection of full-sun plants, a mix of perennials and annuals, will blossom throughout the summer.

Made for the Shade
Jennifer says a container planted for shade can take morning sun and afternoon shade, meaning it wouldn’t be affected by harsh, direct sunrays in the middle of the day. The thick-walled concrete planter’s mix of delicate maidenhair fern, contrasted with the sword-like leaves of cordyline and the dark green leaves of begonias is a “delicious combination,” Jennifer says. “Sometimes you hit on a plant combo that is just yummy.”

Jennifer’s Growing Tips:

Consider Scale
A pot may seem like the perfect size at the garden store, but when you bring it home, it suddenly seems too big for the space. Take measurements (and even photos) before you head to the store to get the right size.

Choose Carefully
Select plants for each container that have similar water and sun needs, making each pot easier to maintain.

Pruning is Prudent
While pruning may not come to mind as a necessary step for annuals, you can give them a haircut in July, and they will come back strong and healthy until cooler weather comes along.

Fertilize Often
Nutrients don’t hold as well in potting soil as they do in the ground, so apply water-soluble or time-release fertilizer as the season progresses.