Anyone who says they don't have room to garden forgot about container gardening. Today, with new varieties adapted for container gardening it is easier than ever.

Remember your container selection is as important as the plant you select to place in it. A container's shape and color really sets the mood of the garden and its size determines the plant that will work best.

I like to think big when buying containers. All to often I have seen a pot that is too small and the affect is limited. Think of it this way, a small pot will work for a centerpiece, but would be hard to find along the sidewalk of your existing landscape.

You can also arrange containers in groups starting with a large focal pot and accent smaller ones around the piece. Think about staggering the heights by elevating some containers on bricks or on an overturned pot.

Give attention to soil, water, fertilizers and light because containers depend on you for all their needs. Select pots with good drainage and be sure the plant is the right size for the container. Plants that sprawl or trail over the edge create romance and increase your sensory pleasure by choosing fragrant flowers.

I believe container gardening can be the answer to every gardener's dreams. Even with only limited space the pleasure of gardening is there. Containers can add color, or soothing greenery to any deck, patio, or window.

Some container plants I like include Liriope, which blooms late summer, but it has a green turf appearance that looks great all season. It is also a plant that is usually free of pests.

English Ivy can be trained to be topiary for a great conversation piece. It can also be used to accent other plants in hanging pots.

I love canna plants mostly because my mother always propagated them. The newer dwarf varieties grow 3 to 4 feet and they give you that festive, tropical look in containers. But remember to dig the rhizomes after the first frost and store inside until next year.

Two more personal favorites are lantana and sweet potato vine. Sweet potato vines can cascade into a long flowing plant in a hanging basket. Lantana also looks great in hanging baskets or accenting container edges and the plants bloom from spring to fall. However, lantana and the sweet potato vines cannot survive our winters outside.

The choice of plant material is endless and the container choices are too. Remember, your favorite can come to a container near you. Enjoy!