Remove faded flowers to increase blooming. Impatiens will produce flowers in shady locations, as will ageratum, begonias, and nicotania. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on developing varieties suitable for container gardens. Vegetables require sunny locations and will vary in their productivity depending on the type of crop. Check seed catalogs for new varieties developed for this purpose.
Many gardeners like to have herbs growing near the kitchen where they are handy to use in cooking.
Basil, chives, marjoram, mint and thyme are all easy to grow in containers. If you are planting several plants in one container, select plants that have similar water and light needs. Use plants with interesting foliage such as coleus, hosta and sweet potato vine. These will add color and texture to a container. Place trailing plants like ivy and creeping rosemary at the edge of container and taller plants in toward the center.