Container Gardening Trends
Even with a plethora of plants at our finger tips we are always in search of the prettiest, most unique combinations of plants to grow in garden containers. If you are creating new containers of your own or adding to what you currently have, we put together 4 lists of some of our favorites that is sure to appease...
Large, Fabulous Leaves
Burle Marx Philodendron
Philodendron 'Burle Marx' - Glossy, heart-shaped leaves adorn this gently clumping philodendron that develops runners, making an exceptional ground cover. Will climb if given support. Tolerates more sun than other philodendrons, and once established, tolerates mild drought.
- Reaches 1 to 2 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide.
- Partial shade to partial sun
- Use: Borders, Containers, Edging, Mass Planting, Poolside, Woodland Garden
Care: Easily grown in humus-rich, well-drained soil. Tolerates dry conditions, once established. As a houseplant, provide bright light. Avoid harsh afternoon sun. Apply a slow release fertilizer as new growth begins in spring. Prune back if spindly growth to encourage denser branching. Pruning time: winter.
Southern Comfort Coral Bells
Heuchera x 'Southern Comfort' - Huge cinnamon-peach leaves mature to burnished copper, then to amber while forming a broad, lush foliage clump, making a bold landscape statement. Airy spikes of creamy white flowers appear in summer. Thrives in hot, humid environments where others don't.
- Foliage reaches 14 in. tall, 24 in. wide; flowers reach 22 in. tall.
- Use: Border, Containers, Cutting Garden, Ground Cover, Mass Planting, Rock Garden, Woodland Garden
- Evergreen in mild winter areas; an herbaceous perennial in colder regions.
Care: Water regularly - weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers. Provide enriched, well-drained soil; take care not to bury crown when planting. Prefers part shade in hot summer areas. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Avoid excess winter moisture. Feed throughout growing season. Remove old, faded foliage in early spring.
Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss
Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' - Brilliant silver leaves with contrasting green veins are distinctive and eye-catching in shady and woodland gardens. Clusters of tiny blue flowers provide additional color.
- Foliage slowly spreads to 12 in. tall; flower stems 18 in tall.
- Use: Ground Cover, Containers, Mass Planting, Water Garden, Woodland Garden
- Herbaceous perennial
Care: Thrives in humus-rich, well-drained soils. Provide some shelter from intense afternoon sun. Water regularly to maintain consistently moist soil. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Variegated
Thompson's Flowering Maple
Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii' - This fast-growing tropical flowering shrub is prized for its speckled, maple-shaped leaves and showy, coral-orange flowers. A beautiful accent or border shrub in frost-free areas, with an upright form that is easily espaliered against a wall.
- Fast growing, 5-8 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide Partial to full sun
- Use: Borders, Containers, Espalier, Poolside
Care: Spring through summer; nearly year-round in frost-free climates. Provide well-drained soil. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Prune annually to shape. Pruning time: early spring, after danger of frost.
Variegated Shell Ginger
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' - Leafy, arching stems create a lush, tropical effect with boldly striped yellow and green foliage. Large, drooping clusters of white and pink shell-like flowers are sweetly fragrant. Works well in containers and can be used as an indoor specimen.
- An herbaceous perennial.
- User: Border, Container, Poolside, Water Garden
- Quickly forms foliage clumps 4 to 7 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide.
- Partial to full sun
Care: Provide well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established water as needed to maintain consistently moist but not soggy soil. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.
Minuteman Plantain Lily
Hosta x 'Minuteman' - Among the showiest of hostas with its attractive, lance-shaped foliage. Satiny green leaves are surrounded by creamy white margins. Large, funnel-shaped flowers are dark lavender. A sun tolerant selection. Ideal for adding exuberant color to shady gardens. The thick foliage resists slug damage.
- An herbaceous perennial.
- Use: Border, Container, Mass Planting, Specimen, Woodland Garden.
- Moderate growing; reaches 24 in. tall, 18 in. wide.
- Partial shade to filtered sun
Care: Provide slightly acidic, evenly moist, well-drained, humusy soil. Avoid harsh sun exposures. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Remove old, faded foliage before new leaves emerge in early spring. Divide every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Midnight Rose Coral Bells
Heuchera x 'Midnight Rose' - Fabulous burnished black leaves are spotted hot pink in the spring, lightening in summer to cream and pink spots. Outstanding at close range for outdoor living areas and front entry foundation plantings. An exceptional container plant for bold effects.
- Foliage reaches 10 in. tall, 16 in. wide; blooms reach 20 to 24 in. tall
- Use: Border, Container, Edging, Ground Cover, Mass Planting, Rock Garden
- An herbaceous perennial
Care: Provide enriched, well-drained soil; take care not to bury crown when planting. Prefers part shade in hot summer areas. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Avoid excess winter moisture. Feed throughout growing season. Remove old, faded foliage in early spring.Pruning time: early spring.
Ligularia Tussilaginea “Argentea” (variegata)
Ligularia tussilaginea 'Argentea' is a Broadleaf that provides contrast between white and green foliage. Produces yellow flowers in the fall. Susceptible to insects and diseases.
- Growth: under 1 foot
- Use: Mass Planting, Container, Borders
Care: requires filtered shade and well drained soil.
Dainty Stems
Creeping Wire Vine
Muehlenbeckia axillaris - Unusual creeper offers an intriguing texture with a spreading mat of wiry stems, clothed in tiny rounded leaves with a glossy green finish. In later summer, translucent white fruits are quite attractive.
- Partial to full sun
- Useful rock garden plant or small-scale groundcover.
- Moderate grower to 2 to 4 in. tall, spreading to 30 in.
Care: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.
Dark Dancer White Clover
Trifolium repens 'Atropurpureum' - Vigorous grower with dark purple-black, clover-shaped leaves and white summer flowers makes a spectacular groundcover. Intermingles with other plants well in mixed beds or containers. Easy-care perennial requires no deadheading.
- Heat and drought tolerant
- Partial to full sun
- Vigorous spreader to 3 to 8 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide.
- Use: Container
Care: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Control weeds until the plants have filled in. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer.
Silver Falls Dichondra
Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' - Fantastic silver foliage and a true cascading habit make this an excellent choice for mixed containers or hanging baskets. Performs well as a seasonal groundcover or to cascade over rockery in well drained soils. Produces tiny, inconspicuous, white to green flowers in late spring. Recovers quickly in summer heat and drought.
- Grows: 2-3" H x 26-48" W.
- Use: Border, Container
- Trailing habit
- Partial to full sun
Care: Easily grown in average, well-drained soil. Tolerates part shade. As a ground cover, space 18-36 inches apart and control weeds until plants fill in. Evergreen and hardy to 40°F. Treat as an annual elsewhere.
Trendy Millennial Colors
Inshriach Pink Astilbe
Astilbe simplicifolia 'Inshriach Pink' - Extend the season with this later flowering dwarf Astilbe. Fluffy, pale pink spikes are held above glossy, bronze green crinkle cut foliage. Excellent for edging or foreground plantings.
- Perennial
- Foliage reaches 8 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; up to 15 in. tall in bloom.
- Full shade to filtered sun
- Use: Border, Container, Very Wet Areas, Water Garden, Woodland Garden
- Shade Loving
Care: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Regal Mist® Pink Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Lenca - Its relatively small size, glossy green foliage and airy pink-red flowers set this extraordinary selection apart from others. Especially attractive planted en masse where plumes can be back-lit by the sun. Thrives with regular water, but tolerates periodic drought.
- Evergreen
- Fast growing; reaches 4 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide, in bloom.
- Use: Container, Mass Planting, Poolside, Rock Garden, Urban Garden, Wildlife Garden
- Showy Pink Plumes
Care: Easy to grow and adaptable; thrives in average to lean, well-drained soils. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. For a neat appearance, hard prune old foliage annually, before new leaves emerge. Pruning time: late winter or early spring.
Giant Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Foxtrot' - Beautiful smoky-rose plumes move like foxtails bobbing and dancing above this green slender bladed ornamental grass. A fast-growing filler for the landscape or in containers with annuals.
- Quickly reaches 4 to 5 ft. tall tall and wide
- Use: Border, Container, Mass Planting, Rock Garden, Wildlife Garden, Woodland Garden
- Partial to full sun
- Ornamental Grass
Care: Grows easily in most average, well drained soils. Avoid heavy, wet clay sites. Follow a regular watering schedule the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. In mild winter areas, shear to 6 inches above ground in fall or spring and fertilize to rejuvenate. Treat as an annual in colder winter climates.
Royal Purple Smoke Tree
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' - Dramatic, long-lasting, pinkish purple, smoke-like airy seed clusters backed by reddish purple foliage create a prized small tree or large accent shrub. Foliage holds its color all summer, then turns scarlet red in autumn.
- Deciduous
- Moderate growing; reaches 15 ft. tall, 10 to 12 ft. wide
- Full sun
- Dramatic Foliage Color to use in: Borders, Hedges, Mass Plantings, Specimen
Care: Easy to grow in average soils; requires excellent drainage. Tolerates poor, rocky, infertile soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Fertilize in spring. Prune heavily every few years to promote new growth with larger, more colorful foliage.Pruning time: late winter to early spring.
Pink Anemone Clematis
Clematis montana rubens - Wonderful summer color from sweetly fragrant, soft pink, anemone-like flowers. Great for arbors. An intriguing ground cover or charming rambler, when allowed to sprawl or climb through informal shrub borders.
- New growth has purplish coloring, maturing to bronze-green
- Deciduous
- Partial to full sun
- Vigorous growing stems quickly reach 20 to 25 ft. long
- Fragrant Flowering Vine that are used in: Borders, Espalier, Ground Cover, Specimen, Urban Gardens, Woodland Gardens
Care: Thrives in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil, with roots sheltered and top growth in the sun. Mulch soil surface to conserve moisture. Water deeply, regularly in the first growing season to establish extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Feed when new growth begins in spring. Provide trellis or arbor support.Pruning time: summer after flowering.
Succulents
Don't forget the easiest variety of plants that look great in all containers. For a list of 12 easy to care for succulents, click here
Gardening Essentials
For the Success of Your Container Gardens...
Potting Soil
SummerWinds Natural & Organic Potting Soil (developed with E.B. Stone Organics) – Great for all indoor and outdoor container gardening.
- 1.5 cuft. Bag
Osmocote
Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food
- Fortified with 11 essential nutrients
- Works with virtually all plant varieties, in all growing conditions
- Feeds up to 6 full months
- Apply with confidence to potted plants, indoors or outdoors
- No-burn pledge when used as directed
Soil Moist
- 15 oz.
- Grow beautiful plants with less water
- Reduces evaporation of moisture form the soil
- Time releases fertilizer and water
- Encourages deep root penetration
- Reduces soil compaction
