Container Gardening with Perennials

[Dizzy for Dsny]

Does anyone have any great suggestions for my flower pots. I am tired of investing so much in annuals each year that I would like to start perennials in them and maybe add a few annuals. I need suggestions for all day sun and would prefer all summer flowering if possible.

 

[Snowwark]

Grow for it, Dizzy for Dsny!

There are lots of perennials suitable for container planting, and just a few suggestions for sun and long bloom time would be:

Blanketflower (Gaillardia)
Daylilies (Repeat bloomer, staggered bloom times)
Speedwell ( Veronica, Sunny Blue Border, is a nice choice)
Coreopsis
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum, Becky)
Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa)
How about roses? - ~Growing Roses in Containers~

These are just a few ideas. A trip to your favourite garden centre/nursery and a chitchat with a knowledgeable employee would also give lots of great ideas. You might also want to pick up a book on container perennials.

I know you're looking for blooms but some of the dwarf grasses would look great too.

A few things to keep in mind when potting perennials, is their mature size and moisture needs. You need a pot that drains well and will fit the plant (and it's root system), when it's grown. Putting different plants together can work, but only if their wet/dry soil requirements are compatible. Also, one plant can overpower the other.

Since your containers could be large (and heavy), and you'll want to be able move them, lightweight planters, or planters on casters might be a good idea. Terra-cotta and ceramic pots may crack and break if left out in the winter, full of soil. Not all perennials can survive winter in a container, and may need to be removed and planted in the ground (heeled in). We do this with our container hostas and ferns. Our container hydrangea we put in the garden shed, and it seems to have survived. An unheated garage would work also.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide to plant!

 

[Dizzy for Dsny]

Thanks Snowwark for all the great tips! I do need to get a book on perennial gardening in containers - didn't even think about one existing. I have so many garden books as it is.

I currently have a lot of daylilies, grasses and love Veronica Sunny Border Blue (love in front of my maiden grass). I planted a bunch of Shasta daisies last summer in my big garden, but I need to look into your suggestion of blanketflowers, roses and coreopsis. I haven't used those yet anywhere in my garden.

I spoke to a nursery person the other day and she also suggested insulating my pots with a trash bag before planting perennials. I thought that was a great suggestion.

Thanks again and once I get my new digital camera down, I'll have to send you a picture!

Happy gardening!!!

 

[Cruise04]

I'm glad I ran across this thread as I'm doing the same thing this year. We have not fully utilized our deck since we've been in our house and I plan on doing that this year. So to help with the niceness of it I also wanted some containers with plants/flowers in them. My daughter has fallen in love with Gerbera Daisy's so I've got a couple of those I'm going to plant, two African Daisy's (but I'm not sure if those are perennials or annuals - anyone know?) - one pinkish and one orangish. The Gerbera's are a hot pink and a hot red (so to speak). Then I found this plant called Ruby Slippers and I fell in love with it so going to add that one too. Also got a Pincushion (I love this plant, got it on a whim a few years ago for another spot in one of my beds) and can't decide if I'm going to pot it or put it in the ground. Might have to do both and get some more.

Thanks for that idea about the garbage bag, that actually makes some sense, will add some "insulation" for the winter.