3 retailers reveal their container gardening programs

Retailer

Sheryl McShane, perennials co-manager, Twombly Nursery, Monroe, Conn.

William McClenathan, store director, Portland Nursery, Portland, Ore.

Michael Waters, landscape designer, Walter Andersen Nursery, Poway, Calif.

Container types and sizes

24-inch pots down to very small pots. Doing a lot of trough gardens; they're good for small rock garden plants and can stay out all winter.

Very large variety of sizes and styles. Sizes range from very small terra-cotta pots to high-end, 3-foot $800 pots.

Almost every kind of container you can imagine; very small 3-by-3-inch pots to 30-by-30-inch or larger for specimens and commercial applications. Terra cotta, glazed pottery, wood.

Plant selection

Both annuals and perennials. Lots of unusual annual varieties. Bamboo for screening is popular. Dwarf conifers are popular in trough gardens.

Locally known for unusual plants. Everything from small annuals and perennials to houseplants and trees suitable for containers.

Known for being able to get a wide variety of plants, particularly new cultivars. Drought-tolerant species, tropicals, etc. Will special-order plants for regular customers.

Special soil mixes?

In the past, but not at this time. Carries a number of good general potting soils.

Not specifically for container gardening, but many brands of good general potting soils.

Yes. Recommends Dr. Earth and Kellogg's brands.

Create custom containers for customers?

Yes. Sometimes customers pick out plants; other times they just provide a general idea of what they want.

Yes. Customer picks plants and pots, and staff member fills container while customer waits. Minimal fee.

Yes. Two services available: 1.) Pot up containers for $45 per hour. 2.) Landscape designers create custom containers and container groups at regular design rate.

Classes or workshops?

Not last year, but always did until then. Plans to do workshops this year.

At Christmas, a workshop on how to include poinsettias in interior landscaping. Several classes every spring.

Monthly display of small, medium and large potting designs. Classes every Saturday, and some in between. Mails a monthly workshop calendar to regular customers.

Seasonality

Mostly in spring into summer.

All year, although it drops off in winter.

All year. However, concentrates on season-specific themes when doing monthly displays, such as reds at Christmas.