Container gardening is a wonderful way to add colour, interest and variety in gardens as well as enable people with balconies and small spaces to enjoy gardening. Containers are also a convenient and practical way to grow many herbs, vegetables and fruits in small areas.
Flowers & edibles, San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Plant Choices:
Ideas about container gardening are evolving and yet some gardening fundamentals remain the same. As always, the Plant Hardiness Zone plus the amount of sun, shade, space and wind in the particular site will influence the plant selection.
Annual flowering plants – These have been traditional choice for container gardening as they can provide bright colours, textures, fragrance and other appeal. Calibrachoa, nemesia, petunias, begonias, geraniums and salvia are some of the colourful and popular choices.
Flowering and foliage plants
Foliage – Many annuals (and tropicals used as annuals) have colourful, bold foliage which brings texture to the container display. Coleus, caladium and sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) are notable examples. Some ornamental grasses add drama as they sway in the wind and provide privacy.
Fresh herbs and edibles– Herbs can be conveniently grown in sunny containers. Not only do they provide fresh flavours and fragrance for cooking, the leaves of many varieties of basil, parsley, oregano, thyme and other herbs are beautiful. Green and red lettuces, kale, peppers, Swiss chard, many tomatoes plus strawberries are some of the vegetables and fruits which grow well in containers. Caution: if small children are near, do not grow edibles in containers with plants with poisonous parts, such as English Ivy (leaves and berries), pothos or Devil’s Ivy (sap), caladium (uncooked leaves and bulbs).
Perennial plants, small shrubs and tropicals – Some can be used as container plants. Indeed, some rampant or vigorous plants, such as mint and strawberries, might best be grown in containers to control them. In areas with severe winters however, perennial plant care options include: transplanting them in the fall; moving them to over-winter indoors or in sheltered areas; or using large containers which are resistant to frost damage.
Several herb varieties & other plants
Reflecting seasonal changes – Switching plants in containers with the seasons helps reflect and celebrate the changing seasons. Thus spring blooming plants might be replaced by late blooming plants and grasses or by different foliage plants and edibles with late harvest times.
Container Choices:
Containers are available in a wide range of colours, materials and styles to suit varied tastes, surroundings and budgets. There are some additional things to consider when selecting individual or groups of containers.
Tubs at San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Watering needs – Larger containers generally require less frequent watering than plants in smaller ones and are best for many vegetables and fruits. Self-watering containers are one option, especially if regular watering is not always possible. Watering kits can also be set up to water several containers at once. To protect wooden decks and flooring, saucers or stands should be used with tubs.
Soil mixes –While pre-mixed soils for containers are generally used, soils in different containers can be amended for the needs of particular plants. For example, extra sand improves drainage preferred by some plants. To avoid leaching of chemical compounds into the soil, do not use treated wood containers for edibles.
Repurposed and recycled containers – Containers of various sorts can be used for plants, so long as suitable drainage is provided. Recycled materials are being used in the manufacturing of many containers. Metal horse troughs are being repurposed for those seeking large, sleek containers for their plants.
Container care – Some metal and other containers can be kept outdoors throughout the winter but most need to be cleaned out and brought out of the cold and freezing. Some larger pots and tubs have wheels to enable them to be moved around.
Looking forward to setting up containers for the coming gardening season.
Photos from Ottawa, or San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 2015
Ottawa, Hardiness zone 5b under new Canada’s Plant Hardiness Zones, April 2015
