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Unfortunately, it doesn't stand to reason that all plants that grow in the ground are well suited to containers. Sometimes, practicality makes this impossible. For the last 4 1/2 years, I've had such limited space that if I had any hope of having any kind of garden at all, the only solution was growing things in containers. It's been an incredible learning process to say the least.

It is possible to have a vegetable garden even if you have to grow them in containers. Lettuce, spinach, and herbs are all quite adaptable to container growing. I was thoroughly amazed to find that everything from beans to melon could also be grown in containers. For anyone who is interested in growing vegetables in containers, the best resource for information, seeds, recipes and articles is Container Seeds

Some herbs, especially mint and chives are well suited to container growing because they tend to spread and become invasive otherwise. A pot, window box or other container filled with some special herbs at the door near the kitchen is a wonderful way to have easy access to fresh herbs. Basil - especially Spicy Globe will grow nicely in a container.

Curry, oregano, marjoram, thyme, and sage are additional possibilities for container herb gardens. A nice combination might be purple, variegated and green sage mixed in one pot. Grow different types of basil in a pot. Purple, ruffled leaf, Genovese, lemon and Thai are all interesting and tasty varieties.

Be careful about mixing too many different flavors and fragrances together. It will be difficult to smell each herb individually. For that reason, I tend to prefer to combine herbs from the same family or herbs that would naturally be used in combination.

Moonbeam coreopsis grows in a kind of mound or clump, and it is also well suited for container growing. Planted in a pot surrounded by a ground cover, it will provide a wonderful look. Galliarda would also grow well in a container, and mixing different varieties and color combinations would be beautiful - even using Moonbeam Coreopsis in the center.

Many succulents are ideal plants for containers. Hens and chickens, sempervivums, ajuga, are all interesting possibilities, just to name a few. Yucca can be grown in containers. If you live in a dry climate, succulents or cacti are ideal choices. Yucca makes a wonderful center plant surrounded by any of a number of succulents that grow in a vine like habit.

For a beautiful tropical look, consider growing Elephant Ears in pots. Make sure you

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