We have just come across the Yellow Goddess Amaryllis – wonderful trumpet shaped soft yellow flowers on 20 inch stems. They will be terrific for your indoor containers and will bloom six to eight weeks after planting. Look for them this season.
One way to keep your planters looking good for a longer period is, of course, to prune and pinch back as required during the season. Protect them from the heavy Fall winds by moving them closer to walls and buildings for added protection. They will look better longer.
There are many annuals that still look good and will last well past the first frost in your planters and containers. They change dimension with the first fall of snow. The best ones to try are Pansies, Violas, Dianthus and Oranmental Kale and Cabbage, each has it own form and height for a beautiful container.
We don’t talk much about tools, however, they are most important and now is the time of year to check to see that they are all in good condition, well cleaned and ready for the next season of container gardening.
This is the time of year for local plant sales. Take some of those wonderful container plants and split them up for your donation, or replace one of the plants for something new for the Season. Everyone loves seeing what everyone else is growing and you are supporting a worthy cause along the way.
Use three garden pots or planters to create a beautiful display or just use one container for all – both suggestions work so well. If you don’t have any very large planters or urns three small pots will do. Plant Superbells (calibrachoa) in one pot, with Heuchera or coral bells in the second one and complete with Diascia.
Now is the time to pot up some spring flowering bulbs in your planters for indoor color during the Winter season. Place the containers in a cool, dark place, until you can see new growth emerging from the soil, and then move them to a bright window to enjoy.
Yes, we are now talking about over wintering – time to think about getting the containers and planters ready for a cooler (cold) season. For the Mandevilla, just cut off the vines to a manageable length. Keep the plant in its pot and water sparingly for the winter, don’t fertilize until ready to place outdoors in the Spring again.
By this time of the year the garden pots and planters start to look at little bedraggled – all they really need is a shot of water soluble fertilizer the next time you water. Be sure to clip off or dead head any finished blooms and your containers will look good well into the Fall.
Every region has its specific challenges in gardening. Where it gets very very hot in the summer, choose plants that can tolerate dry soil, don’t need deadheading and are heat tolerant. There are lots of succulents that look terrific in your garden planters.
Yes, we really do need to consider the size of your garden pots and containers. The larger will have more impact in your garden and of course won’t dry out as quickly. Garden designers often recommend three of more identical planters with the same combinations for a dramatic impact.
There are so many choices in planters and containers, however, for bulbs on the patio or deck, be sure to select ones that are at least 16 inches in diameter for impressive color. How deep the pots and garden planters are depends on the size and type of bulb you wish to plant. Oh yes, be sure they have drainage holes in them as well.
Bulbs are such fun, they are always a surprise when they come up – you plant them so far in advance that we forget what to expect. Plant your bulbs in garden planters and containers in the Fall for Spring and of course in the Spring for Fall viewing.
Garden plant containers and pots showcase plants and do enhance an area’s aesthetic appearance. A beautiful hedge can be created which includes many planters suitably spaced containing boxwood topiaries. They look wonderful along a driveway or against a privacy fence.
This one looks spectacular and is easy to create. Start with your Purple Grass or Sedge in the middle and place a red Verbena on either side. Then alternate with (2)Yellow and (2) Purple Calibrachoa, ending with one Sweet Potato Vine. Make sure to have a large pot or container, they will grow!
The Lantana is a wonderful garden planter and container plant. It loves hot hot weather, the blooms are colorful and the butterflies just love them. The trailing lantana is excellent in planters and pots. Treat as annual in cool climates.
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