Simple Container Garden Designs for Early Spring

Welcome, friends! 🌸 The air is fresh, the birds are singing, and the world is bursting into bloom—spring has finally arrived! There’s something magical about this season of renewal, where the days grow longer, and nature graces us with a colorful display of blossoms. It’s the perfect time to refresh our homes and bring a touch of spring’s charm indoors.

Whether it’s a beautifully set table inspired by the delicate hues of budding flowers, a cozy corner brightened with thrifted treasures, or a garden arrangement brimming with life, spring invites us to embrace beauty in the everyday. So, grab a cup of tea, step outside to feel the sunshine on your face, and let’s welcome the season with creativity and warmth. 🌷

Welcome, friends! 🌸 I’m so delighted to be joining two talented bloggers as a guest contributor for “Containers Two Ways.” This special collaboration features creative ideas from MaryJo Materazo of Masterpieces of My Life and Susan Peterson of Bay to Beach. You’ll find links to their wonderful blogs at the end of this post, and I truly hope you’ll take a moment to visit them.

We share a love for decorating, styling, and finding unique ways to bring beauty into our homes, but each of us has our own unique take on using containers. Whether it’s a charming thrifted find, a clever repurpose, or a seasonal touch, we’re excited to share our inspirations with you.

So, grab a cup of tea, get cozy, and join us as we explore Containers Two Ways! 🌿✨

Containers come in all shapes and sizes, and today, I’m excited to share four beautiful container gardens that are simple to create and perfect for early spring. Whether you’re looking to add a fresh touch to your porch, patio, or tabletop, these ideas will bring a burst of seasonal charm to your space.

So, grab your favorite cup of tea, settle into a cozy spot, and let’s explore some delightful ways to welcome spring with container gardening!

This first container is a simple wooden box nestled into the garden soil, blending seamlessly with the landscape. After clearing out last year’s annuals, I refreshed the space with a mix of hardy perennials and a splash of seasonal color. Lemon balm, garlic chives, grape hyacinths, and fragrant hyacinths create a lovely combination of texture and scent, while a few cheerful daffodils add that unmistakable touch of spring.

On this particular day, a little Easter magic was at play—a visiting rabbit must have stopped by, leaving a charming trail of colorful eggs in his wake! 🐰🌸 If you look closely, you’ll spot him peeking out from behind the soft pink blooms, as if admiring the garden’s fresh new look.

As the weather warms, this container will burst to life, filling in with lush greenery and fragrant herbs—ready to be enjoyed all season long.

In front of the garden box, a charming butterfly and bird water tray invites delicate winged visitors to stop by for a sip. The white metal container, filled with smooth river rocks, provides safe perches for birds and butterflies to rest while they drink, adding a touch of both beauty and function to the space.

Nestled among the fragrant greenery, the bunny seems perfectly content to linger, enjoying the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft morning light. This little garden is easily seen from the Morning Room window, creating a peaceful and enchanting vignette to start the day. There’s something truly magical about sipping your morning tea while watching nature awaken just outside your window. 

Like all container gardens, it’s tempting to fill every inch with plants for an instantly lush look. However, overcrowding can leave little room for growth, leading to plants competing for space, water, and nutrients.

I prefer to space my plants generously, allowing them to stretch and thrive as the seasons unfold. Over the coming weeks, the garden will gradually fill in, creating a natural, abundant display that lasts well into summer. A little patience now ensures a healthier, fuller container garden in the long run—one that evolves beautifully with time. 

The next garden is crafted from a charming wooden wine box, proving that even small containers can make a big impact. To ensure durability, I sprayed the exterior with polyurethane, protecting the wood from the elements and extending the life of the box.

For proper drainage, holes were drilled through the bottom, and a plastic liner was added with matching cutouts over the holes—this helps retain moisture while still allowing excess water to escape. With the foundation set, I filled the box with rich potting soil, creating the perfect environment for new plants to thrive.

Now comes the fun part—selecting the plants and nestling them into place, bringing this little container to life. With just a few simple steps, this repurposed wine box is transformed into a delightful early spring garden, full of charm and possibility.

This charming wine box garden is planted with a lovely mix of lemon balm, hyacinths, lamb’s ear, and daffodils, creating a delightful blend of texture, scent, and seasonal beauty. Over the next few weeks, the plants will grow and fill in, softening the edges of the box and adding a lush, layered look.

The lemon balm will gracefully spill over the sides, releasing its bright, citrusy fragrance with every breeze, while the lamb’s ear, with its velvety silver leaves, is irresistible to little hands eager to explore. The hyacinths bring a burst of color and their unmistakable sweet scent, and the daffodils add that perfect pop of sunshine yellow to welcome spring.

A curious little Easter bunny has found his way into this garden, making himself right at home among the blooms. Meanwhile, our resident yoga frog perches nearby, looking quite at peace with the world—because really, what could be more zen than a garden in bloom?

This early spring container is extra special—it was handcrafted by my husband using beautiful cedar, a wood that naturally withstands the elements. To ensure durability, drainage holes were drilled in the bottom, and a plastic linerwas added, though the cedar itself is wonderfully resilient.

One of my favorite details is the copper handle, which adds a lovely Old World charm, making this piece as decorative as it is functional. Inside, daffodils and hyacinths are nestled in the soil, just on the verge of blooming, promising a vibrant display in the weeks ahead. A few homemade Easter eggs are tucked among the greenery, adding a festive, whimsical touch.

The container rests on a thrifted white metal pot rack, elevating it slightly and giving it a charming garden display feel. On the lower shelf, a thrifted watering can holds a striking bundle of black pussy willows, a treasured early-season favorite from my garden. Their soft, dark buds gradually open into white blooms sprinkled with yellow, a subtle yet stunning sign of spring’s arrival.

In the background, you can catch a glimpse of the in-ground container garden, tying everything together in a layered and inviting spring vignette.

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The very tips of the pussy willow have a stunning burgundy hue, adding a rich contrast to their soft black buds. They’re truly eye-catching and bring an elegant touch to early spring arrangements.

One of the wonderful things about pussy willows is how easy they are to propagate! Simply place a few stems in water, and they’ll begin to root in no time. If you prefer, you can also plant a stem directly into the soil, where it will take root and grow into a beautiful, low-maintenance shrub—perfect for adding year-round interest to your garden.

Such a simple yet rewarding way to bring more of these gorgeous, early bloomers into your outdoor space!

The last container I brought indoors is such a lovely sight—beautiful pink tulips are blooming gracefully, with soft lamb’s ear and fragrant mint nestled at the base of the bulbs. These tender plants will surely spread throughout the container as the season goes on, adding even more charm. As the weather warms, I’ll switch out the flowers and plant the bulbs in the garden, where they’ll bloom again next spring, bringing their vibrant beauty back to life.

This indoor planter sits perfectly in a recycled white plastic container, adding a touch of charm to my blue and white table setting. The soft pink of the tulips brings a cheerful pop of color, while the gentle greens from the lamb’s ear and mint create a calming glow, as if a little piece of the garden has been brought inside to brighten the space. It’s a simple, yet lovely way to bring nature’s beauty to the table.

These early spring gardens are a delight to put together, and it’s such a joy to watch them bloom and grow, bringing a fresh burst of beauty to the season.

Thank you for joining me today on this little excursion into early spring container gardens. I’m excited to share links to MaryJo Materazo at Masterpieces of My Life and Susan Peterson from Bay to the Beach. I know you’ll find their blogs just as inspiring and enjoyable as I do.

link:  https://masterpiecesofmylife.com/styling-a-vintage-inspired-easter-garden-container/

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