Outdoor decorations

Clusters of pink tulips surrounded by a froth of purple, white and antique rose-colored blooms transform this Chicago entry into a spring vignette. The container design by David & Jennifer Hoxsie of Greenhaven Landscapes also includes fragrant purple stock flowers (Matthiola sp.), purple African daisies (Osteospermum sp.), pansies (Viola sp.) and white sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima).

Q

If you look closely at this fall window-box display, also by KMS Gardens and Design, you’ll see the addition of decorative gourds mounted on sticks above the cabbages, ornamental grasses and annual flowers. The designer also used pine cones on sticks as a second window box accent.

Q

Use a pumpkin to hide the bare spot left by faded summer annuals for an instant container garden pick-me-up. Choose a pumpkin according to the size of your container and the bare spot you’d like to cover; if your container is tight on space, tuck in a miniature pumpkin to hide among the foliage.

Q