The ‘Instant Garden’ Trick Designers Use Before Summer Parties – An Easy Way to Spruce Up Your Patio For Memorial Day
This easy design trick quickly makes your patio or porch look carefully curated
Hosting season is nearly upon us, with Memorial Day soon kicking off the summer parties. But don't fret if your yard is looking less than idyllic right now, you can give it a quick upgrade by following this instant garden trick designers swear by: layered containers.
It isn't just your standard container garden, rather creating a layered container arrangement is all about curating a living masterpiece. Think taller planters at the back housing trees and bedding plants adding color at the front. 'It’s a simple way to quickly transform porches and patios with color, texture, and dimension, without needing a full garden redesign,' says gardening expert and landscape designer Brandon McCormick.
1. Choose Your Pots
The vessels are just as important as the plants when it comes to an impactful container garden.
'Pairing layered plantings with timeless, durable planters, adds even more visual impact while creating a polished, designer-inspired look,' says Brandon.
I personally like earthy-toned pots, like this set of terracotta planters from Wayfair. Concrete planters (like this set of three from Amazon) are also durable options, offering a modern look that will last for many years in the garden.
You want to choose a range of heights when getting your planters together, so it can be wise to get your hands on a couple of tall fluted planters (this pair of black planters from Wayfair are a great neutral to have at the back of the arrangement).
You can even opt for something like this planter box with trellis from Amazon which allows room for vertical garden space. It's one of the easiest ways to grow climbers in pots.
I like to also throw in some plant stands to elevate some of my shorter pots. This tiered plant stand from Target offers a structure to build your entire arrangement on.
Brandon McCormick is the landscape design and product development director at Carlsbad Manufacturing Corporation, where he plays a key role in guiding product innovation across its family of brands, including Stone Yard, Planters Unlimited, and Hooks and Lattice. With a lifelong foundation in horticulture, Brandon brings a unique depth of plant knowledge to the built environment. His combined experience in landscape maintenance, rare plant care, and design collaboration positions him as a trusted expert at the intersection of form, function, and green innovation.
2. Use a Nutrient-Rich Soil
Just like extending your hanging basket display, your container garden will last much longer with a nutrient-rich, well-draining growing medium. It's the first step in staggering container planting so it lasts right through to fall.
'For long-lasting success, use high-quality potting soil with good drainage and position containers based on the plants’ sunlight needs,' Brandon says.
The best potting soil for containers is one that is packed with nutrients, is moisture-retentive, but also drains well. You don't want your container plants roots to sit in trapped excess water in the pot, but also be aware that the soil will dry out much more quickly than plants grown in the ground.
This Miracle Gro potting mix from Lowe's is a great choice.
I also recommend using a soil moisture meter (from Amazon) to check your container's soil regularly, ensuring it doesn't dry out entirely to keep plants looking bright.
3. Plant at Different Heights
When pairing your plants with planters, it can be helpful to first lay out your planter arrangement. For example, you'll want to put tall fluted planters at the back and shallower bowl planters at the front.
Think about creating layers, just like curating a garden border. Trees for pots can form a garden screen for your patio at the back of the arrangement, while the likes of compact blooms can add interest in the front layer.
'I recommend starting following the classic thriller, filler, spiller approach,' says Brandon. 'Choose one taller focal plant, surround it with mounding flowers, and finish with trailing greenery that softens the edges,' he describes.
Spillers can add a lot of texture to containers, including ivy and ferns. By placing lots of these curated containers close together, you can create an abundant, impactful display.
An easy container plant for blooms through spring and summer includes petunias (you can get a pack of four petunia plants from Walmart to dot in multiple spots in the arrangement for a cohesive look).
You can also opt for container plant pairings that thrive on neglect for a low-effort arrangement that wows. Hostas and heucheras (like this bright red one from Amazon) are a good option for a shady container garden.
I also suggest opting for some fragrant plants to make your patio smell nice – aromatic herbs like rosemary is a good choice. Position them around seating to create an immersive experience for your guests.
To keep your display going, Brandon says to deadhead: 'Deadheading spent flowers regularly will extend color and keep arrangements looking fresh,' he describes.
You should always use a clean pair of gardening snips to remove faded blooms. These Fiskars gardening scissors from Amazon are a reliable choice.
What to Shop
These bypass pruning shears are ideal for essential pruning tasks. They cut up to 1" in diameter.
This set of 2 terracotta planters are handcrafted, naturally porous, and have a rustic texture.
These long-sleeved gardening gloves have a gorgeous floral pattern. They protect hands and arms when tending to the garden.
You can enhance your layered container garden arrangement even more by adding in garden screens for more privacy. For example, this wooden garden screen from Amazon can provide a subtle backdrop for your patio, even hiding eyesores in the yard you don't want your guests to see.
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