Container Gardening Ideas and Combos

[Rissask]

I suppose all you lucky southern folk have all your bedding plants in and your pots are all done, etc. Lucky people.


I have spent most evening and weekend days in the last two weeks cleaning up my perennial beds, raking the lawn, spreading manure and bone meal, pruning the dead wood on my roses and shrubs, etc. Now is the fun part- putting the garden in this weekend at my mom's (okay, that is more work than fun ), and then next week is the best part- buying and doing my container plantings.

Every year I try to find alternatives for my annuals, and every year I end up buying the same old petunias and impatiens and geraniums. Borrrring.



Any ideas for some groupings-colours, names of plants, etc? I have ten pots, some in full sun, some part sun and some part shade.

I have two cast irons planters for the front I want to do something orginal in, but no idea what- succulents? Grasses, any recommendations? I like grasses. Last year I did trailing ivy and orange million bells and those daisy-like flowers in purple. I need ideas, pictures, etc.
Help.

[Sol]

I read somewhere that color bowls (combinations of flowers) are out. What is supposed to be popular are one kind of flower in a pot. I went to Costco and bought a six pot flat of Gerbera daisies.

I have done combinations of snapdragons, salvia, lobelia (tiny blue flowers) and this one type of flower that looks like a fern but its flower looks like a tiny bird of paradise. Also, geraniums, salvias, and marguerite daisies. I'll look up some others and get back to you. Oh! If you can find pineapple sage, it looks gorgeous by itself. Its blooms are this beautiful maroon color. This might be something to think about for your big planters. Succulents that trail or salvias alone would be pretty. In regards to grasses, I believe there is this one annual grass called Japanese red grass. It has beautiful dark red leaves.

[Rissask]

Thanks, Sol!

I haven't seen that type of grass, but I will look for it. I have some blue fescue in my perennial beds. I tried purple fountain grass but it won't overwinter here (zone 2/3). I was thinking maybe just one big clump of tall grass in the front planters would look good.


I have tried salvia and gerberas, they never did that well in pots for me, for some reason- climate differences maybe?


Hmmm, so combos are 'out' are they? But I like the old tried and true traditional 'one tall, one trailing, and one bushy flower' recipe. *pout*
I do plant some pots with just one type, as long as I know it will bloom and look good all summer and into fall (like petunias)- I bought two hanging baskets of impatiens yesterday....not New Guinea but not the regular ones either, they have huge flowers.

I also planted two cactus dahlia roots in two pots- about a week and a half ago, started them indoors, moved them outside a few days ago- nothing is happening. I am a murderer. Anyone do this- do I just have to be patient, do the need more heat and sun yet, maybe?

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Thanks, Sol!

I haven't seen that type of grass, but I will look for it. I have some blue fescue in my perennial beds. I tried purple fountain grass but it won't overwinter here (zone 2/3). I was thinking maybe just one big clump of tall grass in the front planters would look good.

I have tried salvia and gerberas, they never did that well in pots for me, for some reason- climate differences maybe?
Hmmm, so combos are 'out' are they? But I like the old tried and true traditional 'one tall, one trailing, and one bushy flower' recipe. *pout*
I do plant some pots with just one type, as long as I know it will bloom and look good all summer and into fall (like petunias)- I bought two hanging baskets of impatiens yesterday....not New Guinea but not the regular ones either, they have huge flowers.

I also planted two cactus dahlia roots in two pots- about a week and a half ago, started them indoors, moved them outside a few days ago- nothing is happening. I am a murderer. Anyone do this- do I just have to be patient, do the need more heat and sun yet, maybe?

Salvia likes the sun and to be dried out then watered. I have my Gerbera daisies on my porch so that they get light but not beat up on by the sun. I am in zone 6. I have the same combo recipe that you use. I would just go for what you like. I don't really care for what is in or out. I love pansies and johnny jump ups or violas...I always have some of those. Impatiens are very pretty.

[himynameisjan]

My favorite pot for the sun is Royal purple millet with lime green sweet potato vine and Lantana. Ya got your tall, ya got your vining and a blast of color! Warning, it can get huge!

[himynameisjan]

Oh yeah, for grasses, fiber otic grass and leather grass are a couple of good ones.

[himynameisjan]

Oh yeah again for shade pots, coleus, hosta and impatiens.

[Rissask]

Thanks!
I don't have much for shade, the 2 impatiens I have will do me. I likely overwatered the salvia , Sol, I tend to do that.
I am loving that idea of the millet and lime potato vine - I think I will do that with maybe just some other greenery or million bells in THIS colour- wouldn't that look great?
Coleus sure comes in some amazing colours and patterns now too. But I seem to have a knack for killing it off as well.

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by himynameisjan

My favorite pot for the sun is Royal purple millet with lime green sweet potato vine and Lantana. Ya got your tall, ya got your vining and a blast of color! Warning, it can get huge!

Purple millet...way cool...we grow that here... (Lantana too...don't know the lime green sweet potato vine but it sure sounds cool.)

[BonnyW]

Herbs (the food kind) and food can be grown quite well in containers.
I had an entire garden on my balcony when living in a condo.
It is amazing what you can grow and eat from the things you can grow in containers. Some of them are kinda cute too..like comfrey,catnip, rosemary, lavender, mint, dill, tomatoes, peppers, anise, etc..

When dried, they make wonderful gifts

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Thanks!
I don't have much for shade, the 2 impatiens I have will do me. I likely overwatered the salvia , Sol, I tend to do that.
I am loving that idea of the millet and lime potato vine - I think I will do that with maybe just some other greenery or million bells in THIS colour- wouldn't that look great?
Coleus sure comes in some amazing colours and patterns now too. But I seem to have a knack for killing it off as well.

Lots of VERY cool pansies out there these days...snapdragons, nasturtiums and all edible!

[BonnyW]

Originally Posted by Jacko

Lots of VERY cool pansies out there these days...snapdragons, nasturtiums and all edible!

GMTA

[Rissask]

I have an herb garden and a small raised bed garden as well...I was surprised to see today that my mint even made it over the winter. I think I will grow some patio cherry tomatoes as well, I never have luck with them in my garden. I rely on mom's.

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Jacko

Lots of VERY cool pansies out there these days...snapdragons, nasturtiums and all edible!

calendulas are yummy as are rose petals.

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Thanks!
I don't have much for shade, the 2 impatiens I have will do me. I likely overwatered the salvia , Sol, I tend to do that.
I am loving that idea of the millet and lime potato vine - I think I will do that with maybe just some other greenery or million bells in THIS colour- wouldn't that look great?
Coleus sure comes in some amazing colours and patterns now too. But I seem to have a knack for killing it off as well.

nice color! Millet is gorgeous. I just bought a plant...lime green and deep purpleish marron. I cannot wait to see it go to seed.