How to Landscape the Side of a House Using Containers

Fill whiskey barrels or drums with a mixture of equal parts potting soil, peat moss and perlite. These provide enough room for shrubs, small trees or rose bushes. Pot up several of your favorite shrubs and place them along the border of the wall, spaced three to 10 feet apart.

Fill window boxes or shallow containers with soil and add trailing petunias. These come in a variety of colors ranging from pastels to brilliant hues of pink, red and purple. Once established, these prolific bloomers produce an abundance of blooms from late spring until late fall.

Erect a simple fence approximately one foot from the foundation of the house, in the area between the whiskey barrels. Picket fences are attractive when lined with flowers, but simple lattice works well, too. For a temporary fence, drive a wooden or metal stake into the ground at either end of the section of fence. Attach the fence with fence strapping or plastic ties.

Position the petunias directly behind the fence so that vines and blooms will grow through the fence creating a showy display of color. Train the petunias by gently positioning new vines through the fence every few days.

Add small pots of flowers in a contrasting color in front of the fence. Delicate alyssum provides a heady fragrance while creating a mass of airy blooms that complement petunias.

Fill pots with morning glories or other climbing flowers and place them at the ends of the fence, where they can climb the fence. Allow the vines to trail along the fence, adding bright color to the wall.