You probably need to prime the plastic pot first. Wrap the shrubs in large plastic drop cloths and spray both........unless you love greens in your face. Who cares if there is paint on soil. Add soil when done. You'll get it in the brush any other way

OK to paint. I agree to cover the plants and soil. Don't know whether the plants won't like paint in their soil, so protect it. Styrofoam bitsor cardboard are useful if you have some. Do it in shade if you cover plants with plastic or they could cook. If you use old sheets it's less of a problem. If you can let the covers rest on a structure or be hooked up to keep them from weighing down the plant that would keep the plants from snapping. Just some thoughts.

What pH was your soil?

Cover and spray. Most spray paints designed to be used on plastic don’t need a primer - check the label. There are some really fun options like metallic colors available.

I always want to see what the issue is with a picture. IMO bright colored pots in a wooded area could be really cool.

You could also amend your soil for acid-loving plants like azaleas and limb up the trees for more dappled shade.

Few gardeners are able to grow everything they want without adjusting the conditions they find. Our townhouse was built on a reclaimed railyard. I have had to pickaxe up railbeds to create a successful garden, as well as cut down trees and heavily amend the soil. Others have to add organic matter to sandy soils, add retaining walls, etc.

K L : PH of Soil was 7.3 but there is a lot of concrete underneath the soil (about 3' down)...idiots buried old driveways. Locust trees and arborvitae do not mind....but the plants I really like seem to like more acidic soil. It is a rather large area, heavily shaded by the locust trees, I added soil acidifiers but I think I am done fighting that battle.

Kathleen TO: Patricia Colwell Consulting

Maybe I AM OLD FASHIONED.....I think the bright colors do not agree with the serenity of a wooded area. This pic is from last year when we placed the new pots And I realize I should have placed 5 not 4 ....but the colors of the pots are going to change to aged terracotta. I think it could look more woodsy....but , then again, I am not a decorator!

I think the blue looks great but the white is not good. I would leave the blue personally

I would paint the white pots the terra cotta color first. I think the blue pots may look fine with terra cotta.

I might try creating groups of containers and add different sizes. Unifying colors here and there could be interesting.

Everyone....I LOVE the ideas!! I will start by painting the white pots....I will group (I have other small very very nice smaller terracotta plants for begonias (can't do impatiens the deer ate them).....

I can't help picturing half-whiskey barrels there, is that more rustic than you're looking for?

They make cheaper ones in plastic that I like to use on my roof garden.

To: lat62 I actually had wooden whiskey barrels but my home is a rather traditional split level. I ditched the barrels and went with pots (but I think I went too contemporary) I love contemporary but I usually stick with traditional inside and out (guess it is my comfort zone)

@kathleen, you may be past this stage, and I would love to know. Did you try any shrubs listed here? And if so, what was your experience? https://www.bloomingbackyard.com/alkaline-soil-plants/

TO: KL

I also have pretty much full shade....but even on the edge the Hydrangeas did not thrive (strange) but I bought a few Russian Cypress and they are doing OK. I will check Hydrangea again....maybe there are different varieties that are more tolerant than the ones I tried. Thanks for the list!

Microbiota decussata (Cypress, Russian Arborvitae, Siberian Carpet ...

The common names reference its native range and its similar characteristics to other members of the cypress family. This needled evergreen prefers full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils. It is more shade tolerant than groundcover junipers. ... Soil pH: Acid (<6.0) Alkaline (>8.0) Neutral (6.0-8.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage ...

If you cover your plants with a painting tarp or even an old sheet that should prevent damage even if you do use spray paint.

Hostas like it in shady acidic spots.

to: WestCoast Hopeful Yes they do but no matter what I spray on them the deer eat them!!

I wouldn't blame you if you erected a deck back there. I wish I had actual experience with alkaline soils and could really help. Tough challenge!

to:KL unfortunately it is the Front of the house (on an extra attached lot)....a deck would have been nice

Oh golly. Well we have to figure something out then, don't we. There is a plant out there somewhere. What zone are you in?

Another set of plants to check out. Some can take partial shade. 

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/10-plants-for-gardens-with-alkaline-soil-pictures

More: https://www.thespruce.com/soil-and-plants-that-dont-mind-alkalinity-2131000

Looking at your site, I wonder if you would like ground covers instead of shrubs, but you tell me.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/best-plants-for-alkaline-soils/

to: KL thank you for the spruce link....I did NOT know that ANNUALS are fussy! No wonder the Begonias that I planted looked wimpy!! This year they go into the pots!!

Annuals

Some annuals can also be grown in an alkaline soil without difficulty, including Calendula, bachelor buttons (Centaurea cyanus), and sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima). Mix some annuals into your perennial flower borders to achieve the landscape color scheme that you are seeking.

to: KL I think I will keep it simple.....I might try a few hydrangea and quickly move them if they start dying.....we have hosta which has to be sprayed almost every darn day! and sometimes they still eat them ALL! (even tried the irish spring route...no dice).....I will keep it simple so there is less upkeep....the plants in the containers are EASY!! (I had an awesome sedum in one of the containers and the deer destroyed it in one visit)

I have bad deer too. They seem to ignore the mints. Some mints can take shade. I should check to see if any can take alkaline soils ... Doesn't look like it. Ok, iris are diverse. Maybe the middle eastern type...I'll check. Looks like the bearded iris can take alkaline soils. The Siberian iris can take some shade, but no alkaline soils. Argh!!!!! Ok, peonies. Nooooo .....

This is hard.... No wonder you went to pots.

Woah! Astilbe!!!!!! https://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/plants/conditions/plants-for-alkaline-soil/perennials-for-alkaline-soil/

Have you tried them? There are tons and they like shade and the deer don't like them.

Ok, I love astilbe for making a strong edge. I noticed this article also recommended Achillea or yarrow. They are indeed pretty and long blooming, but they make a wimpy edge. My deer don't like either. 

This is my favorite on-line place for perennial flowers: https://www.bluestoneperennials.com/perennials.html

You can email Bluestone Perennials and they will eventually get back to you. Ask for their advice for your challenging site.

It's not the soil. It's the shade.

The go-to shrub in those circumstances around here is kerria.

Hellebores are good. They are expensive to buy, but in decent soil seed around, a lot. Then there are the common groundcovers - vinca minor, pachysandra, hardy geraniums, etc.

Your pH (and mine - 7.2) are only sky-high by eastern standards. There are a lot of plants that either don't care, or prefer those minorly alkaline conditions. It's just when you live in a world that has adjusted to the difficulties of acidic soil, it's hard to counteract. The shade is going to be a much, much bigger problem.

Bluestone is good. I try to stop there when I visit my daughter in Cleveland. Unlike here, they aren't chock a block with acidic soil plants, but a bit of everything.

TO: mad_gallica I am going to stick with the pots....I have lovely shade tolerant slow growing shrubs in them....I will add additional pots (in groups...same color different sizes) with begonias or something for color (I think I am going to try Geraniums where they get a bit of sun....someone on Northeast Ohio garden FB group told me her Geraniums bloomed better in part shade AND I KNOW THE DEER WILL NOT EAT THEM!) I am also going to use some creeping jenny for its color but in POTS (as a "spill") because it can be invasive) And I have an "endless summer" hydrangea that could go into one of the large containers.....(supposedly it does not have large roots) AND THE WHITE POTS WILL BE TERRACOTTA COLOR!

Endless Summer, like any big-leaved hydrangea needs a lot of water. In a pot, that will probably mean at least daily watering. It also isn't all that tolerant of shade. That's how I killed it.

@kathleen, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you are set on pots. I didn't mean to ignore your vision. Best of luck!

to: KL The information you sent was REALLY REALLY helpful and I can use it in other areas of my messy yard!! Thank you so much!!

@kathleen glad to hear it. I'm interested in how the pot painting turned out. Pictures when finished?

KL: will do!

@ lynartist WOW your containers are beautiful!!

lynartist : You make a lot of sense...." The bright colors should be in the plantings, not the pots." I think I am moving these stupid pots to the patio area where there is a lot of bright turquoise...(.patio cushions).....I am going totally terracotta in the original area that I was discussing. I will paint the white pots because they do not go ANYWHERE!!! Gosh, the stupid things I do!

Please post your beautiful planters when you have them finished!

Be sure to use paint specified for plastic or it will peel off in the elements. While terracotta may seem more natural, it will still standout. If you want the pots to “disappear” into the landscape, use dark green, dark brown or black.

It depends what you plant in your planters of course. Cascading type plants can quickly overwhelm most pots! I do put risers on mine for added height so whatever cascades over the sides has a bit more room! Sometimes a single variety can make a large impact also. These impatiens have been growing in this earth box fox many years! Being in Florida I have never had to replant or replace them! The coleus are growing in the same type box, only recently planted; the box is still visible!

I’m not against a pot being a statement though. Of course it can if you want it to be depending on were you want it to go and how much you love the pot!

Three large planters painted bronze over "clay red" (which looked orange thus the bronze over it)....anyway planting more hosta to fill (hopefully the deer will not come to "brunch".....thank you everyone for your suggestions

Too late now, but I would just cluster, ( one spot ) all the annual color IN the ground. The rest ground cover. Save the pots/plantings for a hard surface area near the house.

The pots detract from the color, much more visible would be abundant/tight---in the soil with mulch

full shade....alkaline soil....chipmunks

Very nice artwork on the layered pot paint!

I think it looks really lovely and well suited to the spot.

Very nice! Will look even better when the plants fill out!