Do:

• Pay attention to the foliage as well as the flowers - foliage is actually more important since it is always there while plants go in and out of flower.

• Choose a mix of colored, variegated, and green foliage for year-long interest.

• Plant a balance of textures - broad leaves, fine leaves, smooth and lacy ones.

• Pay attention to heights, varying them for interest from tall to trailing.

• Experiment with containers using different varieties and colors of a single plant. Geraniums, for instance, can give you variety in both color and form if you try several varieties.

• Try new and unfamiliar plants. Container gardening is a great way to learn about them.

• Choose flowers with different forms - daisy-like, trumpet shaped or plumed - for textural interest.

• Try this simple formula for interesting container design - tall plant, medium rounded plants, short, trailing plants.

Do NOT:

• Be afraid to use a base of perennials, changing your annual plants seasonally.

• Be afraid to experiment. If you don't like it you can always change it.

• Mix too many variegated plants - your container will look confused and chaotic.