Love blooms in many-splendored container garden

Needless to say, the Johnsons spend most of their days outdoors but it's not always puttering with plants. When the afternoon sun gets hot, they find shelter inside a canvas-and-metal gazebo that's shaded by a tall tree at the back corner of their land.

"That's our favorite spot," says Charles. "We like to eat our here and just relax."

When cold weather arrives, Charles uses plastic to turn that same gazebo into a winter greenhouse where plants in big pots are stored.

The gazebo's brick floor radiates some heat at night; when it gets really cold, Charles runs an extension cord and heater out there.

Cuttings from plants Celestine wants to maintain are kept in containers in their sun room. She and Charles dislike seeds because they have little luck with them.

"It's easy to root pieces of most of these plants," she says. "All my hydrangeas came from cuttings I rooted."

Where they go from now is a big question, given the fact they have put about all the pots they can in their yard. Only small strips of grass remain anywhere.

But, a grinning Charles is already thinking about how he can do more next year.

"My mind changes," he says. "I'm always thinking."

THEIR TIPS

Easy does it. Container gardening is easier because there are fewer weeds and grass to content with, says Celestine.

Whoa, watch the fertilizer. Too much fertilizer burns tender summer flowers but the ready-mix, hose-end sprayer with Miracle-Gro prevents that, says Charles.

Fix them up. Latex paint applied with a brush makes old pots look pretty again, says Charles, who buys paint by the gallon. Lately, he's painting his pots black.