In addition to annuals, small trees, shrubs, evergreens, herbs, vines, perennials, bulbs and even roses thrive in right-sized containers with good potting soil, the right light conditions, adequate water during hot weather and some minimum winter protection, mostly from drying winds.

For a barrel-type container bouquet, pick 3-4 plants that will give you height and spread for a full, lush look. For height, look for a spiky dracaena, flowering daisy tree, small banana tree or tree rose. Then select a few sprawling, low-growing plants such as petunias, geraniums, begonia, scaevola, lantana or flowering vines such as mandevilla, jasmine or honeysuckle. Work in some foliage-type plants such as asparagus fern, trailing ivy or caladiums. Container bouquets are built by first planting the tallest plants and then working your way down until you tuck in the trailing, spilling plants.

Most importantly, follow these tips for sensational containers of any kind:

* Good soil. The best soil for containers is a commercial potting soil sold by the bag. It's cleaner, richer and more insect- and disease-free and lighter in consistency than soil found in the ground. Some have time-saving fertilizers already mixed in.

* Good drainage. Plants will drown in water-logged soil. They need good drainage for roots to thrive. Choose containers that have drainage holes at the bottom. To prevent soil from leaking out of those drainage holes, place a piece of mesh screen or landscape fabric over the holes. You also can help drainage by placing a layer of small rocks, broken clay pots or packing peanuts in the bottom of the pot. (Don't use hollow packing peanuts because they will hold too much water.)

* Good pots. Choose pots that are large enough for your plants. Roots need room to grow. Read plant labels for growing needs.

* Good planting. Fill the pot one-quarter to one-third deep with soil, position the plant(s) at the proper depth (again, read planting instructions that come with plants). Fill in with additional soil up to one inch below the pot top. Mulch with hardwood mulch or pebbles.

* Good watering. Pots dry out faster than soil in ground-level beds, especially quickly in the summer. Double-potting is one way to conserve moisture, especially if you use clay pots, which dry out quicker than plastic, wooden or ceramic pots. To double pot, place a pot inside a larger pot with a layer of gravel around the sides and bottom to separate. To protect potted plants from winter winds and cold, wrap them with bubble wrap, sheets of foam or lengths of burlap.

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