Hey, garden grammie in SE PA!

For quick ideas, you might request the Park Seed Spring catalogue. I can't visualize plants together either, unless I know them extremely well for color, height, soil, sun/shade and nutrition requirements, etc. Sometimes I just drive around and notice what others have put together.

I suggest the catalogue because they've put together several plant collections for pots (with photos so you can see them) that are really good looking, or you can create your own from the container plants shown. This link shows one of them but I don't see another photo online of container collections at that site. Maybe some other seed companies have done something similar, but I don't receive a lot of catalogues, and this is the only one I've seen.

I don't believe that there is a 'should' for your question on whether or not your planters should mirror each other. I do think that the same plant material should be in both of them, though.

Select a variety of plants: tall spikey, rounded, hanging, big flowers, small flowers.

Decide which will be the 'front' of your planters and place the taller things in the back.

Avoid overcrowding. If you go for the immediate gratification, your plants will suffer for it in a very short time. If the plants aren't happy, they will show it with insect and disease problems.

White is a good unifying color, if you decide to use a variety of hues. So is yellow. Yellow, by the way, is the color that 'they' say is the first noticed from the street, if that is your goal.

Personally, I love a mixed assortment of colors and plant forms, tied in with a 'petticoat' of white sweet alyssum. Since it can be stuffed into the front of a container, and will hang down over the side, it will not take up space inside. 12 inches is not a very wide planter, so space is at a premium.

BUT, you have to tell us what you've used in the past, and why you weren't thrilled. Then we can get down to some actual plant suggestions!

Here are some web sites to give you some ideas:

http://www.plantbynumber.com/combos.htm

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jhtml?categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/sc_775.xml

http://www.provenwinners.com/combinations/

Thanks for all the follow ups! You are certainly getting my juices flowing for the up coming season. In the past I used a lot of merigolds because my husband likes them alot. They just seemed to be so ordinary. I want something this summer that will be interesting and a real eye popper. Mixed in with the merigolds I had some red geraniums. It was OK but not WOW.

I don't know if this is knock your socks off, but I like to plant red geraniums with the dracona spikes and some green with whitish heavy small leaf ivy that drapes over the sides (sorry I don't know the name) and it's a very pretty look.

I was going to suggest geraniums since you sound like you have the same sunlight situation as I do. Keep in mind there are also salmon or pink geraniums for a change of pace. I have also seen red geraniums with some purple flowers mixed in along with ivy and some other fillers.

I've always believed in pushing the limits of container gardening! in saying so,I'll mix alil bit of eveything. remember theirs not only flowering plants ,but folige plants. The new bred of coleus take alot more sun,the colors are striking in the sun. mix perinnials with your annuals,you can always move into the garden in the fall,but many will over winter in containers just fine. theres herbs that are perfect for containers,whether you cook with them or not. many have such a nice fragrance. Even though I dont think you have too "mirror" the planters,I think it helps to keep a scheme,color,folige.etc.,it does help keep continuity or flow so it doesn't shock the eye ,but helps keeping the eye moving in a nice easy movement. All in all it's just personnel taste, plant the in bright bold colors for that knock your socks off effect or subdue them down with pastels,theres really no limits !......mike 5b ohio

When it comes to filling in containers, I've always found that the "biggest bang for the buck" comes from New Guinea impatiens. They just need a lot of water. Otherwise, a piece of cake and gorgeous to boot.

In addition, Marigolds look GREAT with the Zinnia ENVY. It is a bright green, yes, the flower is green, 'way beautiful with other colors!

I love orange and pink together. I discovered that I love the combination when I planted some native orange daylilies with my wild pink roses. So natural looking! The roses are a medium pink - not too pale, not shocking. (I thought I'd have a succession of blooms, first roses, then lillies!)

So, let's see. Orange (marigolds) for DH, pink (alyssum, dianthus, zinnias, daylilies) for me - I mean you!

Just remember this when planning your containers:
1. Thrillers ( very tall exciting plants)
2. Fillers ( they fill in the center spaces)
3. Spillers ( the trailing vines)
If you remember this you will have the most exciting pots around!!!!!!!!!

Amen to susan926. Those are the three key things to keep in mind. Also, have fun!

I tend to stuff my boxes tight with stuff in the spring, and then as the cooler season plants (alyssum, lobelia, nasturtium, violas) begin to fade, I yank 'em out and replace with them with hot season stuff like portulaca and scaevola. Victoria blue salvia also look great in containers.

Also remember to water, water, water.