5 No-Fail Garden Planter Combos Pros Love
Whether you have a small apartment patio or a large backyard, your outdoor space could always benefit from garden planters. Now that the warm weather is upon us, it's the perfect time to start planting flowers in containers.
Although you can stick to one type of flower in your planter, you can also get creative and create colorful combinations that really stand out. The types of flowers you'll want to plant will depend on the location of your planter, as well as personal color and care preferences. That's the beauty of gardening: there are so many options to pick from!
"Choosing an appropriately sized, well-draining container is essential for supporting healthy root growth and thriving plants in garden planters," says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy at the National Wildlife Federation. "Terracotta allows airflow and dries out more quickly, while recycled plastic holds moisture longer and is lighter and easier to move.
Ahead, we spoke with master gardeners about the best no-fail garden planter combos you'll want to try this summer and beyond. Spoiler alert: Make sure you leave room in your planters for those zinnias and marigolds.
1. Zinnias and Marigolds
Zinnias are a fan favorite among gardeners not only because they are easy to grow, but also because they thrive in just about any time of environment whether it's hot and humid or dry and windy. Plant these alongside marigolds, and you'll have a container filled with vibrant, eye-catching blooms.
"They can range in height from 12 to 48 inches and all shades of colors. "They are very drought tolerant, which is a great feature in a container," says Jim Lapic, gardener and participant in the Penn State Master Gardener program. "A bonus is that you can cut them for fresh flowers and be rewarded with even more flowers."
Both zinnias and marigolds require frequent deadheading, and as long as you remember to do that, you'll be all set. You can also throw some dahlias into the mix as they also thrive in sunny conditions and will add even more color to your your planter.
2. Scarlet Sage and Blackfoot Daisy
If you're in the market for plants that are drought resistant, then you'll want to consider scarlet sage and blackfoot daisy.
"The bold red blooms of scarlet sage make a striking contrast to the cheerful white and yellow flowers of blackfoot daisy, offering long-lasting color and reliable performance in hot, sunny conditions," says Phillips. "Position the container in full sun to promote flowering and avoid heavy fertilization because these plants thrive in lean soils."
You'll want to water these deeply while simultaneously allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Scarlet sage and blackfoot daisy require well-drained soil and do not tolerate excess moisture.
3. Bluebells and Creeping Phlox
Fans of pink and purple will want to plant bluebells and creeping phlox in their garden planters. "Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they also provide early-season nectar, cover, and habitat for emerging pollinators and other beneficial insects," says Phillips.
It's important to place the container in partial to full shade and keep the soil evenly moist and well-drained. "Bluebells and creeping phlox thrive in cool, woodland-like conditions so you'll want to water regularly during dry periods, but not let the soil become saturated."
To help promote even healthier growth, Phillips recommends adding a light layer of compost to the soil in spring.
4. Butterfly Milkweed and Calico Aster
Give your garden planter a much-needed upgrade by growing butterfly weed and calico aster. This combination will make your outdoor space attractive to insects and pollinators to help promote a more thriving ecosystem.
"Butterfly milkweed serves as a larval host plant for monarch butterflies, making it especially important for supporting their full life cycle," says Phillips. "The late-season blooms of calico aster provide essential nectar during their fall migration."
Be sure to place it in full sun and in well-drained soil while watering it frequently during overly dry periods. Lastly, it is important to leave the seed heads and blooms in place when possible to provide food for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.
5 Basil, Chives and Parsley
It would be a missed opportunity to not include an edible garden planter combination for home cooks who want ingredients within arm's reach.
"You can mix basil, chives and parsley together as they all prefer rich, moist compost, regular watering and sun," says Lucie Bradley, an expert gardener at Easy Garden Irrigation. "This herb planter is easy to care for as long as you fill the planter with a high quality, nutrient rich potting mix for good drainage."
Additionally, you'll want to feed the soil with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month to keep it healthy and strong.
Related: 19 Best Hanging Basket Flowers: Annual, Perennial and Edible Blooms for Your Hanging Garden
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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 4:00 AM.