Container Planting with Perennials

Colorful containers add interest to your landscape year-round. Container gardens are perfect for people who do not have the space or energy to tend to an entire garden.  If you are tired of replacing costly annuals, the use of perennials in containers provides the perfect alternative.  The tremendous diversity of perennials creates year round interest in a range of colors, sixes, textures, and forms. They suit a variety of growing conditions (sun, shade, damp, dry) and last year after year.  Another advantage is perennials handle colder weather better than annuals.  You can begin your plantings in April and continue into the depths of winter with evergreens.

Selecting a Container

Select your container of choice with drainage. Drainage is essential and the bigger the pot the better, because perennials have larger root systems than annuals and require more space to grow healthy.  Screen the drainage hole with landscape fabric and add a drainage layer, such as pea gravel or pottery shards, to the bottom of the container.  Use potting soil to fill the container (Miracle Grow is a good option because the fertilizer is already mixed.)

Selecting Perennials

Select your perennials with the following criteria in mind: foliage color, texture, habit, flower color, size, form, and bloom time.  A well-designed perennial container will look great even when they are not in bloom. Choose a focal point for the container, such as a tall ornamental grass that will command attention. Select textured clump forming perennials to fill spaces around the focal point. Finally, choose trailing or spilling perennials that will creep over the edge of the container and blend the contents of the container with the container itself.  Water daily, deadhead and groom regularly.