Mother’s Day Top Gift Pick: Container Gardens

Skip the mall. Get mom a present that celebrates her nurturing spirit

Why do we stress over buying Mother’s Day gifts? Of course she’s going to love whatever you give her. This is Mom, after all. The woman who treasured all your macaroni and crayon “masterpieces.” The person who proudly wore the garish costume jewelry you saved your allowance money to buy. The woman who assured you a phone call was “enough of a gift” during your destitute college days.

OK. Maybe a little stress is warranted. She has appreciated years of “thoughtful” gifts. Now it’s time to wow mom with something unique. Flowers and plants are always among the top gift choices for Mother’s Day. This year, the National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend an average $152.52 on mom, and again lists flowers/plants as a favorite choice. In fact, two-thirds (66.4%) of U.S. consumers will buy flowers, spending a total of $2.2 billion.

Garden centers will be gearing up this weekend to help people create container gardens celebrating mom. Close to home, Calloway’s and Cornelius Nursery will host a free clinic on May 12 at 10:15 a.m. Experts will be on hand offering guidance and supplies to help folks craft a “living” gift for mom.

Before you hit the nursery, here are some tips to get those creative juices flowing.

Think color. Consider building a container garden around mom’s favorite color—and complementary/contrasting hues. If you need help getting started, check out this color wheel tutorial from HGTV for inspiration.

Get creative with the container. There’s nothing wrong with a traditional terra-cotta pot, but consider other options before you start planting. Search for “container garden” on Pinterest, the popular online bulletin board, for inspiration. The MyTexasGarden board also features loads of “eye candy” to get you in the garden mood.

Look for Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers. Sticking to this formula ensures you’ll have a container garden that stands out. Chose a tall and showy plant (thriller), add in something that’s full, mounding and lush (filler), and finish the display with a plant that will trail out of the container (spiller).

Fine Gardening offers some great hints. Your local nursery, however, will be the best source of plants that are good looking and Texas tough. Consider attending the free clinic hosted by Calloway’s and Cornelius Nursery on May 12 to get specific guidance.

Once you’re at the nursery, be sure to look at the pre-made container gardens the in-store designers have created. You may find a cool new idea. Or you might even discover a container garden that’s perfect for mom is ready and waiting for you.