What We're Watching Grow This Summer

May is one of our favorite times of year at M.J. Design Associates. Our crews have been busy planting summer containers and beds all across Columbus, and while everything already looks beautiful, this is truly just the beginning. Some of these plants are going to completely transform by August, and honestly, watching that happen is one of the best parts of the season.

Here are a few of our favorite plants to spot in your pots this year:

Elephant Ears

These are the instant showstoppers. Already standing 2–3 feet tall at install, Elephant Ears bring huge tropical energy with their dramatic oversized leaves. Even a light breeze makes them sway and move, which adds so much life to a container. By midsummer, they’ll be impossible to miss.

Cannas

Cannas are the “trust the process” plant. Right now, many of the ones we’re planting in 6" pots are only about 8–12 inches tall — but give them some heat and sunshine, and they absolutely explode with growth. By August, they can become towering tropical focal points packed with bold color. We genuinely cannot wait to watch these transform this summer.

SunPatiens

If you love nonstop color, SunPatiens are hard to beat. These heat-loving blooms get bigger, fuller, and brighter all summer long without slowing down. They thrive during the hottest parts of the Ohio summer and help keep containers looking lush well into fall.

Lantana

Lantana is one of the hardest-working plants we use. It blooms constantly in bright sunset colors and absolutely loves the heat. Bonus: butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are obsessed with it, which means your pots become little pollinator gardens all summer long.

IF YOU'RE BUILDING YOUR OWN POTS: The “Spillers” Are What Make Pots Look Professional. Plants like Creeping Jenny, Lemon Coral Sedum, and Portulaca may seem small at first, but by midsummer they’ll start cascading over the sides of your containers, softening the edges and making everything feel lush and overflowing.

Want the Best Looking Pots in the Neighborhood?

We’re going to let you in on something: the biggest factor in whether your summer pots thrive isn’t fertilizer or fancy products. It’s how you water them.

One of the most common mistakes we see is watering a little bit every day. Shallow watering trains roots to stay near the surface, which makes plants weaker during heat and dry weather.

What plants actually love is deep watering — less often, but much more thoroughly. Deep watering encourages stronger roots, healthier growth, and better drought resistance all summer long.

The M.J. Design Watering Method

Once a week, grab a watering wand and do this:

1. Water the first pot slowly and thoroughly until it almost overflows.

2. Move to the next pot and repeat.

3. Once you’ve watered them all, go back to the first pot and do another round.

4. Repeat the cycle 2–3 times total.

That pause between rounds gives the soil time to absorb the water properly so it reaches all the way down to the roots instead of running right out the bottom.

A watering wand makes a huge difference because it lets you water gently at the base of the plant instead of blasting the leaves.

Stick with this method, be patient, and by August those Cannas, Elephant Ears, SunPatiens, and spillers are going to make your containers look incredible.

Need some inspiration for your own pots? Check out our galleries!