Follow along with Laura of Garden Answer as she brings bold beauty to her landscape by planting a vibrant mix of red-foliage shrubs. These richly colored plants are perfect for adding contrast in sunny areas. As she plants, Laura uses Espoma Organic Garden-tone to feed each shrub with long-lasting nutrients and Bio-tone Starter Plus to promote strong root growth. She also refreshes several containers near her kitchen patio, using Espoma Organic Potting Mix to give her annuals a healthy start and keep them thriving all season.
đł Tips for Planting Shrubs
Feed while you plant. Laura adds Espoma Organic Garden-tone to each hole to provide organic, slow-release nutrients that support long-term growth and vibrant foliage.
Jumpstart root growth. She uses Bio-tone Starter Plus to help newly planted shrubs establish quickly and reduce transplant shock.
Design for color and space. Laura mixes bold varieties like Black Ninebark, Weigela, and Beautybush, giving each plant the room it needs to shine at maturity.
𪴠Tips for Planting ContainersÂ
Use the right soil. Laura fills her pots with Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which helps retain moisture and provides a healthy growing foundation for container plants.
Choose plants for the conditions. She selects shade-tolerant plants to thrive on her partially shaded patio.
Add visual balance. Each container includes a focal point, surrounded by fillers and spillers for a lush, finished look.
Watch Skye Hamilton @hamiltonhousedesigns as she shares her go-to strategy for full, eye-catching hanging baskets in spaces with dappled or minimal sunlight. She adds a creative twist on the classic âthriller, filler, spillerâ methodâthink filler, spiller, and longer spiller! Skye recommends using a strong, high-quality organic potting soil like Espoma Organic Moisture Mix to help retain moisture, as hanging pots can dry out quickly.
While Moisture Mix is Skyeâs go-to for hanging baskets, Espoma Organic Potting Mix is also a fantastic option for all container planting.Â
Skyeâs top tips for successful shade baskets:
1) SKyle likes to use 16â baskets and adds a plastic liner (snip a drainage hole) to help retain moisture.
2) Choose shade-loving annualsâthese plant types can thrive in shady conditions and often have smaller root systems, letting you plant more closely.
3) Aim for 5â7 plants per basket to create a full, cascading look.
4) Focus on âfillers, spillers, and longer spillersâ to build depth and interest.
5) Let trailing plants cascade over the sides for that overflowing feel.
6) Water consistently and use soil that helps with moisture retention, like Espoma Organic Moisture Mix.
Bonus Tip:
When planting, Skye adds Espoma OrganicBio-tone Starter Plus to provide the nutrients needed for strong root growth and big, beautiful blooms.Â
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Hanging-Baskets-for-SHADE.jpg19201080Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-07-08 16:34:202025-07-08 16:34:20VIDEO: Hanging Baskets for Shade đżđ¸ with Skye Hamilton
Join Laura from Garden Answer as she shows how to plant a stunning fall container filled with a mix of annuals and hydrangeas. Along the way, she shares practical gardening tips while sprucing up a flowerbed and harvesting potatoes from her vegetable garden.
Do you have shady spots in your garden that you donât know how to utilize? Watch as Laura from Garden Answer demonstrates how to plant annuals in shaded areas to create vibrant, lush spaces. Whether under a tree or by your house, these tips and plant combinations will help you make the most of those low-light areas.
The Perfect Plant Mix for Shady Areas
Laura’s Plant selection:
Sedona Sunset Colorblaze Coleus: Adds a warm autumn touch, blending beautifully with pinks.
Tropical Shades Impatiens: Though labeled orange, they turned out a stunning coral pink.
Non-Stop Joy Mocha White Begonia: With tuberous blooms and beautiful foliage.
Queen Tut Grass: A compact centerpiece with a fireworks texture.
Patricia Ivy: Perfect for containers, though tricky in-ground planting.
Laura started with a small area in front of Limelight Hydrangeas. The plan was to layer Sedona Sunset Coleus for a vibrant splash of color, followed by Impatiens in the front. She also rejuvenated a nearby container with Queen Tut and Begonias, creating a clean and beautiful display.
Location 2: Under the Golden Rain Tree
This spot receives morning and late afternoon sun. Laura chose Colorblaze Coleus, part-shade to shade Impatiens, and Maverick White Geraniums for the sunnier areas. The result was a cohesive look that harmonized with the surroundings.
Location 3: The Maple Tree Area
This shady spot near the kitchen entrance required a cleanup first. Laura then planted El Brighto Coleus, White Begonias, and Wire Vine. The combination not only filled the space but added layers of color and texture, creating a container-like effect.
Final Thoughts:
Planting in shady areas can be challenging, but with the right plants and arrangements, you can transform these spaces into lush, colorful parts of your garden. Keep an eye on the light levels and choose versatile plants that thrive in varying conditions. Happy planting!
Watch Kaleb Wyse from@WyseGuide demonstrate how to enhance flower beds with beautifully arranged containers.
In this video, Kaleb shares his tips for planting annuals in containers, highlighting the importance of proper drainage for plant health. He uses Espoma Organic potting soil and incorporates Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and Flower-tone fertilizers to help with plant establishment and promote vibrant blooms.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Containers.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2024-07-03 10:42:352025-04-10 10:46:59VIDEO: Add Containers to Your Garden with Wyse Guide!
Join Laura from Graden Answer as she plants multiple varieties of annuals intended to attract pollinators. During planting, Laura uses Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus, ensuring her new plants receive the vital nutrients they need for successful establishment and growth. Along the way, Laura shares her top tips for planting a unique and colorful pollinator garden.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2024-06-25 17:21:062025-06-25 13:35:12VIDEO: How to Attract Pollinators đ with Garden Answer!
Join Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide as he takes you on a delightful tour of his garden and shares his expertise on planting vibrant spring annuals and transplanting boxwood plants. In this informative video, Kaleb demonstrates his trusted techniques for creating stunning spring pots that will brighten up any outdoor space.
To ensure the best results, Kaleb relies on Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which provides an ideal growing environment for his plants. He also incorporates Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus into the soil, delivering essential nutrients that promote healthy growth and help his plants thrive.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, this video offers valuable insights and practical tips for creating a beautiful and thriving garden this spring.Â
Laura from @Garden Answer is packing up her truck with some annual plants and trusty Espoma products to revamp her driveway and spruce up her local church! Follow along to see how she gets it done.
English cottage gardens date back centuries. They were used to grow vegetables, herbs for healing, fruit trees, perhaps a beehive, and common flowers. The informal style went through a renaissance in the late 1800âs when they became somewhat more nostalgic than practical.Â
The informal aesthetic of dense planting and natural materials is still en vogue today. In this video, Laura outlines 10 design principles to help you design a cottage garden. Before you start, make sure you have plenty of Espomaâs organic Bio-tone Starter Plus plant food to make sure your plants get the best possible start.
No Straight Lines
Cottage gardens are always informal and a touch whimsical. Avoid straight lines. Gently curving edging looks more natural and playful. If your site restricts you to a straight edge, let the plants spill over it to create an unrestrained look.
Large Groups of the Same Plant
White cottage gardens are more relaxed in their design, it is still best to use large sweeps of the same plant. Think of planting in groups of three, five or seven. That is far more restful to the eye than a jumble of onsies and twosies.Â
Spacing Doesnât Matter
This is one time you do not have to follow the advice on the plant tag. Cottage gardens are always densely planted and generally grow more densely packed with time. Annuals and biennials are often used in cottage gardens and will self-sow in the border. Biennials are plants that take two years to grow and flower from seed like the foxgloves shown. Another advantage to planting things close together is that there is less room for weeds to grow.
Color Harmony
Itâs very important to pick a collection of plants that have harmonious colors. Without that the border would look chaotic. Garden Answer uses a collection of soft pinks and peaches with touches of blue and lavender. It neednât always be soft colors, but they do need to be unified in some way.
Use Varied Heights and Textures
In any planting, itâs a good idea to think about texture, height and foliage color as major design elements. Nothing blooms all the time. Varied foliage forms and colors will create interest even when the flowers arenât in bloom. Laura uses Heuchera specifically for the silvery foliage color.
Anchor Plants/Structural Elements
This is sometimes referred to as the âbonesâ of a garden. Itâs a structural element that all of the other plants get woven around. In this case, itâs a beautiful shrub rose named Rose âThe Lady Gardenerâ, a fragrant beauty with full, apricot blossoms. The rose is repeated three times. Repetition is soothing to the eye. Â Itâs possible to use evergreens for a slightly more formal feel, or whatever peaks your interest.
Fragrance
The first thing everyone does when they pick a flower is to hold it up to their nose. Cottage gardens are known for their fragrance. Try to select varieties that smell good at the garden center. Roses, lavender, sweet peas, and sweet alyssum are all good choices.
Not Perfectly Maintained
Along with relaxed design principles, comes relaxed maintenance. Planting tightly will discourage weeds. Annuals like poppies will self-seed and move around the border, just like the biennial foxgloves. Weeding everything that comes up might mean that you weed out these plants and inhibit their spontaneous movements.
The Look Will Change Over Time
This style of gardening is the exact opposite of a formal border filled with geometric shaped boxwood. By its very nature this is meant to be more random. People often sow cosmos, violas and other plants that have a tendency to move around. Let them surprise you. If you really donât like where one popped up, itâs easy enough to remove.
Be Patient
Being patient is really what gardening is all about. A garden is never really finished. Enjoy the journey!
Garden Answers Plant List
Nepeta âCatâs Pajamasâ â catmint
Achillea â pink yarrow
Allium âSerendipityâ â ornamental onion
Rose âThe Lady Gardenerâ
Heuchera Dolce âSpearmintâ – Coral Bells
Clematis âBrother Stephanâ
Digitalis Foxy Hybrids – Â foxglove
Lobularia âBlushing Princessâ – sweet alyssum
Here are more videos from Garden Answer we hope you will enjoy.
Spring has sprung and itâs time to get outside and plant up some early spring containers. A trip to the local garden center will surely inspire you. Plant big pots of brightly colored bulbs and annuals to liven up entryways, patios and balconies. Laura from Garden Answer shows you just how easy it is to do in the video below.
Laura fills her containers with tulips and violas, true harbingers of spring. Alternatively, you could also use daffodils and other cold hardy annuals like Iceland poppies or nemesia. In cold climates, itâs important to select plans that are hardy enough to withstand a cold snap.
These early spring containers will flower for a month or so, bridging the gap from early spring to the frost-free date. When itâs time to plant summer containers, replant the tulips out into the garden where theyâll bloom again next spring. The violas may also be moved to a lightly shaded area of the garden.
Four Easy Steps to Early Spring Containers
Prep Containers. Fill containers three-quarters full with good, quality potting soil like Espomaâs Potting Mix and prepare to plant bulbs at the depth they were in the nursery pot.
Add Nutrients. Add Bulb-tone fertilizer to the soil, following package directions.
Get ready to plant. Gently remove the plants from their pots and loosen roots. Add plants.
Finish it up. Backfill containers with more potting soil and water deeply.
Enjoy flowers for even longer by choosing tulips or daffodils that are not yet in full bloom. When finished blooming, just remove the flower stem. The leaves will still provide a vertical accent and the bulbs need the foliage to replenish themselves.
Taking time to deadhead the violas will extend their bloom time. If temperatures are cool, you may only need to water containers once a week.
Check out these videos from Garden Answer about tulips and early spring planting.
Plant Your Window Boxes Like Garden Answer
How to Care For Your Tulips After Theyâve Bloomed
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Thumbnail.jpg10801920espomahttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngespoma2019-03-19 14:13:302024-03-13 15:58:00VIDEO: Spring Flowers Melt the Winter Blues with Garden Answer!
