Choosing the Right Plant for Your Container: Not as Hard as You Think
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Plants are relatively easy to grow if their fundamental needs are met and satisfied. Keeping a watchful eye on pests, diseases, and malnutrition will ensure your plants health and beauty.
Bear in mind one aspect though. If you are planting your personal perennials, annuals, shrubs, bushes, or vines when they are immature, you must visualize how they will appear when fully grown and matured. Immature plant dimensions can be misleading because they have no relation to the final full height of the mature plant.
Not sure what plant to put in your plantings? Follow this planting guide and find out how to take care and maintain your plants so that they look in pristine condition all the season long. The following plant descriptions are my favorite picks and contains a bit of information on which containers are ideal candidates:
Anthemis Punctata Cupaniana (Sicilian chamomile)
- An evergreen perennial
- Looks great in stone, terracotta, or wood containers
- Spreads very quickly and produces silvery filigree foliage
- Be sure to keep this plant away from wet and cold conditions and provide good drainage in any container you place it in
- Tip: shear off the first set of blooming flowers, when they are over, to encourage a healthy second set
Alyogyne Huegelii
- Evergreen shrub that spurts out beautiful silky blue petals that unfurl into a saucer like shape
- Standing planters will augment and increase the appeal of the flowers when they start to bloom
- Tip: Try to pinch off the shoots as early in the blooming season as possible to encourage a bushier bush with greater number of flowers
Green Tip:
Grow your own vegetables. This will help to reduces carbon from fertilizers, and transportation.
Begonia “Fire Flush”
- Large ornamental foliage
- Beautifully off set by metal or synthetic containers. Metal containers are an ideal candidate to create a contemporary feel in your garden, greenhouse, or home
- These plants are susceptible to death if left in temperatures below 48° F (9° C)
- Best time to plant is when danger of frost has passed away
Bidens Ferulifolia “Golden Star”
- The “Golden Star” is a tender perennial that is compact and re grows rapidly when cut back
- This plant will appear to be the best when planted in wooden or synthetic containers
- Prone to frost damage, plant during the late spring or early summer
Cannas
- Fast growing plants that require full sunlight to grow properly
- Really beautiful in clay or synthetic containers. Terracotta or other orange colored clay containers really accentuate the plants orange flowers. Synthetic containers are good because they protect against the plants number one enemy; frost
Carex “Sparkler”
- The leaves of this plant are arranged in swirls around a thick stem
- Best containers to place this plant in are synthetic or wood
- It is best if you can get a low container because the real beauty of this plant is observed when looked down upon
- To promote a healthy plant, water and feed it regularly
Dahlia
- Only grows to a maximum height of 16 inches
- Hanging baskets are best because they do not distract from the flowers stunning magenta pedals and black leaves
- These plants need constant watering and grow well in either full sun or partial shade
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Hebe
- Tiny grey leaves and a wiry black stem
- A rounded synthetic container that is either black or dark blue to accentuate the grey leaves
- Placing them in groupings with similar plants and containers will build an overall richness to the plantings
- This plant requires full sun and the leaf color will change based on how dry the conditions are
Impatiens
- Clay and synthetics containers are ideal candidates for this plant
- The clay containers augment the rich colors of the flower pedals to provide a display that is easy on the eye
- Synthetic containers are notable mentions because of the protection it provides
- A frost tender perennial and will most likely die off, even in the home, if exposed to cold conditions
- This plant must be watered regularly and is best grown in a shady area
Lyemus Arenarius
- Possess coarse, blue, grassy leaves and an invasive nature if planted around other perennials or annuals
- Planting it within a square wooden container will provide a unique display that plays on light hues and develops a clean and sharp effect
- This perennial will withstand hot and dry conditions but does not grow well in wet potting mix
Green Tip:
Reduce car emissions by not idling - if you're going to be stopped for more than 60 seconds - except in traffic – turn the engine off.
Nigrescens
- Can be used very effectively when placed within small displays - works well with both tender and hardy perennials and its black color goes well with whites and grays
- White stone or grey synthetic containers are perfect to create a distinctive display
- Adding other plants, such as “Blackie” or “Zwartkop”, within the same container provides warmth and fullness
- Requires full sun to properly develop
Opuntia Lindheimeri
- Cactus like appearance
- Extreme adaptation to dry harsh conditions makes it an ideal candidate to be placed in a container by itself as an individual specimen
- Will become very top heavy
- Metal containers, preferably light colored, are ideal homes for this type of plant
- Must be placed within a well drained container out in full sun and watered consistently during the summer season
Osteospermum “Serena”
- Color varieties of this plant range from pinks, purples, yellows, to whites
- Newer variations are much better for smaller arrangements because of its compact size
- Stone or faux stone containers that are large and tall are great for this plant
Pelargonium “Sassy Dark Red”
- Very compact and perfect for small container arrangements
- Requires full sun and will not grow properly if exposed to temperatures below 39° F (4° C)
- Metal containers, preferably bronze, black, or silver colored, will create a striking piece of modern sculpture that is both inspirational and challenging.
Persicaria “Red Dragon”
- It is best to leave this planting in a pot by itself - it ends outs shoots that intertwines itself with the roots of other plants
- Requires moist potting mix, full sun, and regular watering to develop leaves with a shiny luster.
- A dark colored metal container will provide depth and a contemporary feel to any area it’s placed in.
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Petasites japonicus “Nishiki – Buki”
- This Japanese descent plant has a very commanding presence in the garden
- Can produce leaves that can be up to 24 inches (60 cm) in diameter
- Planting it within a container is the best way you can enjoy its foliage
- Water it often and place it within shady areas
- Place it within a dark colored iron standing basket makes the large leaves stand out
Petunia “Prism Sunshine”
- Produces a beautiful flower with white pedals and a swirl of yellow in the center
- Can grow well in either partial shade or full sunlight
- Not impervious to frost
- Metal containers will house this plant the best because it provides excellent foil for the flowers and foliage and the solid structure plays well on the delicate flowers
Plectranthus Argentatus
- Consists of neutral colors, so it will work well with almost any type of plant or planter
- Water often to maintain a healthy plant
- Keep away from windy areas because the stems are likely to snap
- Requires full sunlight and temperatures between 46° F and 50° F (8-10° C) to properly grow
- A smooth surfaced short fiber glass container is good but placing other foliage rich plants in the same container would transcend the display into excellence
Salvia Splendens
- Provides a solid color that is noticeable from a distance
- Do not expose to frost conditions and place it in full sunlight
- A two tier basket stand is a perfect container for these plants - place it on terraces so the overflowing stems trail down to createsan eye-catching design
Green Tip:
Grow your own vegetables. This will help to reduces carbon from fertilizers, and transportation.
Sambucus “Black Lace”
- A hardy deciduous shrub that produces rich purple foliage and is ideal for small arrangements in containers
- Place it in full sunlight or partial shade
- Prune it back to about 12 inches (30 cm) in height at the end of the summer season
- Do not expose to cold conditions
- To really play on the height of the plant, it should be placed within a standing decorative basket
“Black Prince”
- Leafy matte varieties of this plant are very effective in a container display
- Single colored varieties are easy to work with because the flowers are small
- Feed and water regularly
- Grows best in temperatures above 45° F (7° C)
- Stone pedestal planters really play on the black and white themes of the plant
Thunbergia Alata
- Known to reach heights of 5 ft (1.5 m) during a long growing season
- Should be planted indoors during the cold winter season - do not expose to winter conditions below 45° F (7° C)
- Terracotta styled decorative urn is an ideal container for this planting
Solenostemon “Winter Sun”
- Exhibits rapid growth when placed within rich potting mix and under direct sunlight
- Feed regularly with plant food and water often.
- Pinch out young flower buds to encourage rapid growth
- Fiber glass constructed urn is best for this plant because the container is tall, robust, and makes the display appear well balanced - the color should be preferably darker to play on the light orange color of the plants foliage.
Viola “Apricot”
- Requires full sunlight and should be carefully examined for aphids
- Place it within a wall trough to provide a relaxed, cottage type feel
