Little light reading/viewing today after the deep and dark psychoanalysis of the previous post (but damn that was cathartic).
I have sort of a weird relationship with container planting. We’re not really dating – more like “we’re seeing each other”. Nothing too serious and we have agreed to see other plants. But … I may be ready to take our relationship to the next level. It is a big step but I am at a point in my life where I am ready to make the necessary commitment.
While I am well educated on how containers can be incorporated into design and the benefit of this type of planting, I still have a few hang-ups:
- I feel like I am stifling the plant growth when they are placed in containers. I love knowing the roots of plants in the ground can, in theory, go in search of nutrition as far out as they like.
- Speaking of nutrition, I am not a big fertilizer guy. I get the whole N-P-K thing, I just can’t seem to stay on top of what is required for plants in containers. While my soil may be clay-filled, it is full of everything the plants need (and yes I’ve tested the soil – yeah me!).
- Matching the actual container to the plant color/texture is always tricky for me. I just don’t like terra cotta and most of the plastic containers available, so I find myself purchasing more expensive options. And it kills me to spend hard earned cash on those things.
One huge benefit I see with containers is that I can use plants that would never be possible due to my soil conditions and the threat of deer.
I also like the ability to move plants around with ease so I can try out different designs with minimal effort.
I have also embraced purchasing annual seeds this season (just got the Zinnia – Green Envy – I may be in lust) and what better way to use these then to direct sow in containers.
So … count me in as a container gardener and while there will be bumps along the way, I think I am ready to commit to this.
One last container note – I purchase a lot of plants at the end of the fall and overwinter them in containers. The problem is I then have trouble finding a place for them in the spring. More often than not, I end up keeping them in their container (not forgetting the rule that a plant can typically survive in a container for me – zone 6 – if it can survive down to zone 4 or colder) and finding a place for them. As an example, see the two photos below:
These three Pieris Japonica have made their way onto my front steps … for now. I sort of like them in the pots but just need to find something to plant with them. So, yes, I welcome your suggestions with open arms.
The three containers below fall into the same category:
Those are two Boxwood ‘Green Mountain’ and a Prunus Cistena (Purpleleaf Sand Cherry). I am trying out these three to block out the utilities on the side of the house without needing to dig into the soil around them. I am still on the fence here, but will give it a few days to determine if I like it or not.
That is all for today folks. I am off to find me some thrillers, fillers and spillers for my containers.
Later
Keep at it; you’ll get addicted! About 30% of my clients have me plant containers for them and they really add to the artistry of the garden. I don’t stay on top of fertilizers, either–so I put in great potting soil, worm castings and slow-release fertilizers right when I plant and I’ve never had a problem.
Containers are excellent for plants that can be on the invasive side. Strawberries and mint are good this way – in fact most herbs are great in pots and this way they won’t take over your garden. I just attended a local (free) class on container gardening and am now addicted to it – even though I haven’t filled my raised beds yet!
What a coicidence — the past few days I’ve been planting a lot of containers / pottery up at the nursery. A nice piece sits in front of our doors which has a procumbens juniper on standard in it with beautiful blue salvia and yellow petunia’s in it. It’s definitely an eye catcher if I do say so myself. I love planting in containers!
I have an area against the back wall of our garden where the pine tree on the other side of the wall has put out masses of fibrous roots, making it impossible to plant anything there. One of my chores this spring is to put a lattice on the wall and plant a vine in a container to hide some of the ugly wall. In another area, I want to plant a small vine to grow on a lattice I put in to hide my utility boxes.
I love container gardening b/c it leaves a lot of room for error, which is perfect for me.
I love green envy and I just planted two. The problem is that the rabbits like it, as well. My main problem with containers by my front porch is that I forget to water them and if they go a couple of days they are usually history! Also, I like the container shrub.
Ah well – just consider yourself lucky to have the choice 🙂
I hear you on the container thing. I see so many nice options for containers, but they’re too nice for my pocketbook. I could buy a small glazed terra cotta pot for $40, or I could spend that money on more plants for my garden lol.
I’m another one falling for containers – pretty biiiig glazed ones that I can’t afford!
Almost three years later……………………Buy the size pot you want made out of plastic, foam, terracotta………..and spray paint it with the color you want with a high gloss finish. Muy cheapo.