Asian-Inspired Container Garden

When to Plant: autumn or spring
At Their Best: all year round
Time to Complete: 3 hours

Materials Needed:

• matching containers
• soil-based potting mix
• slow-release fertilizer granules
• broken clay pot pieces
• Japanese timber bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) 'Holochrysa'

• variegated bamboo (Pleioblastus variegatus)
• large-leaved bamboo (Indocalamus tessellatus)
• 'Tsuboii' variegated bamboo (Pleioblastus variegatus)
• umbrella bamboo (Fargesia murielae)

Select Your Plants

Low-growing bamboos are the best choice for pots, and there's a wide variety with colored stalks and brightly striped leaves. Arrange several close together to create a small, dense jungle.

Plant the Bamboos

Place broken clay pot pieces in the base of a pot and add a layer of soil. Water the bamboo, remove it from its pot and set in the center of the container. Fill in around it with soil and some fertilizer. Firm in and water. Bamboos are thirsty, so water often. Since they grow vigorously, lift, divide and repot them in new soil every three or four years.

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