Flower Gardening in Containers

Most plants sold in containers in the spring are annuals, plants that last one season. You can buy them in a container already planted or you can be creative and make your own.

Types of containers include pots of many sizes and shapes, both plastic and terra cotta or clay. Larger containers such as planters made of wood or whiskey barrels cut in half make good container gardens. Also popular are hanging baskets, usually a plastic bowl with a wire or string hanger.

You can make your own container garden.

If making your own container garden, you will need potting mix to grow the plants in. Garden soil will not remain loose enough or allow the right amount of drainage.

Specially made potting mixes are available in various size bags at garden centers. The mixes may have little or no natural soil but contain peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and sand. These materials hold some water but also allow excess water to drain easily. The mixes are lighter than soil and won't pack into a muddy mess like garden soil would do. Plant roots easily grow through potting mixes. Some potting mixes also contain enough slow release fertilizer to feed the plants for two or three months.

Choose colorful plants.

Flowers planted in containers are mostly colorful annuals such as geraniums, petunias, annual vinca, zinna, or verbena. These are always readily available in six packs in many colors and combinations of colors. One important consideration is how much sunlight will the container plants need. Some plants like petunias and zinnias need six or more hours of sunlight. Others such as begonia and impatiens prefer mostly shade. If buying a container already planted, be sure you know if it contains plants for sun or for shade. Pick shade loving plants if you plan on placing container inside.

Flowers in containers are usually planted much closer together than in the garden to give the container a more lush, full look. It is common to have some plants in the container that will dangle down the side. Plants used for this include perennial vinca, lobelia, and verbena.

Container plants need more frequent watering.

Containers have some limitations. The roots have less room to grow, especially in smaller pots, and the limited amount of planting mix can hold less moisture and so dries out much more quickly. Hanging plants are particularly prone to drying out from sun and wind. They may need to be watered daily. Almost all containers come with drain holes. Some also come with saucers to catch the excess water. The holes help prevent over watering which is often the cause of plants turning yellow and dying.

Potted plants need more fertilizer than soil rooted plants. Nutrients through potting mixtures more quickly. You might want to add some liquid fertilizer, diluted to half recommended strength every three weeks.