Happy 4^th of July! Are you ready to celebrate? The warm sun, a cool pool, hot dogs and hamburgers sizzling on the grill, watching fireworks with your loved ones – these are just a few of the magical moments and memories we make on the 4^th of July! First, let’s get our homes ready and decorate for the holiday with container gardens! Perfect for the indoors or outside, we have some helpful tips on how to create your container garden. Plus, learn how to make festive flag pottery! Get the family together and spend time relaxing, creating, and having fun.

 

HOW-TO MAKE FLAG POTTERY

SUPPLIES:

To get started, you will need the following supplies:

1. Terra Cotta Pottery
2. Blue and White Spray Paint
3. Red and White Craft Paint
4. Sponges

STEP 1: PAINT YOUR BASE COLOR

First, paint your pottery. To create your flag set, you will need to paint one container blue and the other container white. You can use regular paint, but spray paint will dry quicker.

Always use adult supervision with spray paint and cutting tools. Add additional coats if needed and allow the paint to dry completely.

STEP 2: ADD STARS AND STRIPES

Next, add the stars and stripes! Grab your sponge. Simply (and carefully), cut a piece of sponge into a star shape and a rectangular shape.

Start with your blue pottery. Dip your star sponge into the white craft paint. Dab it a couple times on a piece of paper to remove excess paint. Then, place stars all around the pottery.

Next, get your white pottery and rectangular sponge.

Dab your sponge into red craft paint and remove the excess paint. Use the sponge to make red stripes around each container.

Allow the paint to dry completely before you start planting and take a moment to admire your art!

 

HOW-TO MAKE AN OUTDOOR 4^TH OF JULY CONTAINER GARDEN

At Calloway’s and Cornelius, We have fresh shipments of seasonal color, foliage, and indoor plants arriving daily to all of our stores in the DFW metroplex and in Houston! Explore our selections in store or online and choose the perfect plants for you! The key to creating the perfect container garden is to follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Choose plants with similar sun and water requirements.
2. Make sure your container has a drain hole to prevent soggy roots.
3. Plant with design in mind – use the Thriller, Filler, Spiller method.

SUPPLIES:

To get started, you will need the following supplies:

1. Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil
2. Plants from your local Calloway’s or Cornelius
3. Hand Shovel
4. Gardening Gloves
5. Watering Can

STEP 1: ADD POTTING SOIL

Fill your containers with Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil, leaving room for the plants. Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil helps your plants get the best start for healthier, continued growth. It contains water saving ingredients like hydrogel water holding crystals, expanded shale and coconut coir for added moisture control. Additional ingredients include sphagnum peat moss, composted rice hulls, composted pine bark, earthworm castings, dolomite lime, and trace elements. Our soil is Silicon Enriched™ to provide container plants with the same benefits as those grown in the Earth’s soil! Plus, our .2-.05-.1 professional formula contains a slow-release fertilizer to help feed your plants for up to 6 months.

STEP 2: ADD YOUR PLANTS

Using the Thriller, Filler, Spiller method, add your Thriller.

The Thriller will be a large, dramatic, and taller option. Choose plants with dynamic blooms or tall spikes of foliage. It is the focal plant in your container. Depending on where your container will be displayed, you can either plant your Thriller in the center if your container will be viewed from all sides, or plant towards the back of the container.

For our creation, we selected Pentas. Pentas are tall, vibrant, and personify fireworks of color! Pentas are known for their star-shaped blooms and are a great choice for a Texas container garden because of their heat-tolerance.

Next, add your Filler.

Filler plants tend to be a rounded plant to make the container look full. Place your Filler in front of your Thriller plant.

Vinca varieties are perfect Fillers. Choose from Cora® XDR Vincas or Soiree® Kawaii Catharanthus for carefree color all summer. Cora® XDR Vincas have eXtreme disease resistance and heat tolerance. They have big, bold blooms that will last.

Soiree® Kawaii Catharanthus contains adorable blooms that pack a lot of color throughout the season. They are low maintenance with a compact habit that thrives in the heat.

Finally, add your Spiller.

The Spiller plants are trailing plants that hang over the edge of the container. They should be planted close to the edge of the container, in front of, or surrounding the Filler.

Try fresh and fragrant herbs or complete your patriotic display with bluish blooms like Blue Daze.

Water your plants in until the water drains out of the drain hole. Add more potting soil if needed. Then, display your container gardens outside for everyone to enjoy!

 

HOW-TO MAKE AN INDOOR 4^TH OF JULY CONTAINER GARDEN

SUPPLIES:

To get started, you will need the following supplies:

1. Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil or Black Gold Cactus Mix
2. Indoor Plants from your local Calloway’s or Cornelius
3. Exotic Décor Pebbles
4. Hand Shovel
5. Gardening Gloves
6. Watering Can

STEP 1: ADD POTTING SOIL

First, add potting soil like Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil, leaving room for the plants.

STEP 2: ADD INDOOR PLANTS

Want vibrant indoor color? Choose Kalanchoe! Kalanchoe is a low maintenance succulent with exceptional and long-lasting blooms. With clusters of star-shaped blooms, Kalanchoe will bring fireworks of color in your home.

Stay trendy and make a container garden with succulents and cacti. First, start with a pop of color and plant a Grafted Color Top Cactus. This is a very low maintenance plant that will provide lots of visual interest for sunny tables and windowsills.

Then, surround the cactus with succulents. Succulents add amazing texture and color to container gardens.

Complete your indoor container gardens with Exotic Décor Pebbles for a polished look. Water in your plants and display your creations on a tabletop for your celebration.

 

SHOP FOR PLANTS WITH EASE

To better serve you, at Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have convenient ways to shop for your garden! Shop our local open-air stores or shop online for Curbside Pickup or delivery!

Stop by today and explore the beautiful selection now! Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!

Have a safe and happy 4^th of July!