Celebrate in Bloom: How to Plant Red, White, and Blue Flower Containers
- Katie Jones
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Looking to add a festive and floral touch to your porch, patio, or garden? Planting red, white, and blue flowers in containers is a beautiful way to show your patriotic spirit while brightening up your space with vibrant color and texture. Whether you're prepping for a summer celebration or just love the look, this simple project makes a bold statement.
Step 1: Choose the Right Container
Start with a large enough container to give your plants room to grow—12 inches or more in diameter is ideal. Make sure it has good drainage holes, and use a high-quality potting mix to help retain moisture without getting soggy.
Step 2: Pick Your Red, White, and Blue Flowers
The key to a stunning arrangement is choosing plants with similar sun and water needs. Here are some tried-and-true favorites:
Red Flowers:
Geraniums
Petunias
Salvia
Begonias
White Flowers:
Alyssum
Bacopa
White Petunias
Verbena
Blue Flowers:
Lobelia
Blue Salvia
Ageratum
Scaevola
Pro Tip: Blue flowers are often more purple-toned, so don’t worry if they’re not a perfect match—they’ll still work beautifully in your patriotic palette.
Step 3: Design with Impact
Follow the classic “thriller, filler, spiller” formula for a full and balanced look:
Thriller (height & drama): A bold red geranium or tall blue salvia.
Filler (mid-height, rounded plants): White petunias or verbena.
Spiller (trailing plants): Cascading lobelia or bacopa.
Mix and match based on the size and shape of your container, and plant with the tallest in the center or back (depending on where it will be viewed from).
Step 4: Care and Maintenance
Place your container in full sun if you’re using sun-loving plants, and water regularly—especially in the heat of summer. Deadhead spent blooms to keep the colors popping all season long, and fertilize every couple of weeks for lush, healthy growth.
Bonus Touch: Add a Flag or Star Picks
Tuck in a mini American flag or some fun star-shaped plant stakes for a little extra sparkle. It’s an easy way to bring the red, white, and blue theme home for the holidays.
Ready to plant your patriotic pot?
Get creative, have fun with it, and don’t forget to snap a photo of your red, white, and blue blooms to share with friends and family—or even enter into a summer garden contest!
Let your flowers fly the flag this season 🌺🇺🇸🌼