You might try the Container Gardening forum as well. I've had my landscaping business for only 5 years, but lately I've been doing a ton of container jobs. I was lucky enough to be taped for a public TV gardening show featuring a container job that I did, and I've had a ton of new business from that airing.

So far I'm charging $35/hour for shopping, designing and planting, plus materials (which are, of course, marked up). I can usually do these jobs myself, unless I'm using really large containers and then I get one of my guys to help. I've been thinking about creating a postcard with a great container pic on the front and canvassing the downtown area businesses, condos and lofts.

I joined the downtown neighborhood association as a business sponsor, so I can associate during the Happy Hours with people who live and work in these areas. It was actually that association that lead to the taping for the TV show, so you never know how things will work out and benefit you and your business.

I don't have a wholesale container outlet, but would be interested to know of some as well. Currently I buy my containers at several area nurseries; one in particular gets very large shipments of huge containers at good prices and quality, so that's where I usually shop.

I also made a book of container pics through an online business called shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com), and I use that to show clients what I've done and what kinds of looks are possible.

Be aware that many people will want you to install micro-irrigation systems into their containers, so hooking up with a good irrigation guy that knows how to do this is really valuable!

Good luck!

Do you have to open a new business? Can't it be part of your existing?

About 40% of my business is from container installations. I couldn't make it doing containers alone. The few gals in my area who specialize in container garden design, supplement their income with another full or part-time job.