When choosing outdoor plants for your container garden, there are many choices. Herbs, camellias, and begonias are a few of the most common, but not necessarily the best. Read on to learn more. And don’t forget to browse our selection of succulents for containers. We’ve included information about both indoor and outdoor plants for containers. If you have a limited budget, there are many low-maintenance plants that can be beautiful and healthy for your container.
Herbs
For a stunning display, choose one of the best outdoor plants for containers. Violacea is a frost-hardy perennial that can be grown as an annual elsewhere. It features small, white bell-shaped flowers in the summer and bright, red berries in the early fall. Whether you’re looking for a plant to fill a container or want a unique and decorative flower, violas are perfect for container gardens.
Golden creeping Jenny (Arnoldia odorata) is a versatile plant that does very well in containers. Either the trailing variety or the upright variety will add height to the container and bloom during the growing season. Place it near a sunny window or against a warm south-facing wall. Although some varieties of rosemary can tolerate cold winters in zones 5 and 6, most of them do better in warmer climates. A container will cool more quickly than the ground, making this a perfect plant to grow in a patio container.
If you want a more formal look, clipped box plants are ideal. While they are slow-growing, they can be expensive. Choose smaller plants if you’re on a budget, or go big to create a centerpiece for your patio. If you’re unsure of what type of container to choose, consider ornamental peppers. They come in a variety of colors, including purple and pink. They’re great for containers because they’re compact and naturally branched.
Begonias
One of the best ways to add color to your container garden is by growing a variety of annuals. A beautiful variety of camellias can add a splash of color to your outdoor space. These plants are drought tolerant, have colorful blooms in spring, and require little maintenance. They also grow well in containers. You can purchase seedlings for these plants at Stokes Seeds. In addition to annuals, there are several other options you can consider for container gardening.
If you are going for a formal look, you can opt for clipped box plants. Clipped box plants are low maintenance and do not grow very quickly, so you can buy a smaller one to save money. Alternatively, you can invest in a large clipped box plant as a centerpiece. It will last for several months and will create a focal point in your garden. The best way to choose which plants are best for containers depends on the style of container you have in mind.
Impatiens and Creeping Jenny are both good choices for container gardening. Impatiens grow fast and are a great choice for shaded areas because they like dappled shade. Alternatively, banana plants add tropical flair and tons of height to your container garden. These two plants need very little maintenance, and can be easily transplanted to another location. Depending on the variety, they might even be an ideal choice for container gardening.
Camellias
If you’re looking for a beautiful container plant that can stand up to hot summers and cold winters, try a Camellia. These shrubs grow up to six feet tall and spread up to eight feet horizontally. They tend to like partial shade, and they are a slow grower. Here are some of the best camellias for containers. Choose the one that’s right for your container and enjoy the flowers for months!
Before planting a camellia, ensure that it has a level ground surface. Avoid digging the planting hole deeper than the original container. You might end up drowning the roots, and that’s a major mistake. You should allow some “head space” for the roots to grow freely, so keep the soil level at about an inch or two below the rim of the pot. Keeping the roots well-watered will help keep the plant healthy.
If you’re going to plant several plants together, make sure they are at least two feet apart. If possible, place them eight to 10 feet apart. Remember to leave enough room between plants so that the soil doesn’t drown them. This is especially important if you’re planting a group of camellias in the same container. Adding 30% compost will help with drainage. Also, when planting a camellia in a group, make sure to space them on center.
Heucheras
Heucheras are drought-tolerant once established. Because their shallow roots need little water during the hot summer months, they only require an inch or so of water per week during dry spells. Water them early in the morning, and only when they seem dry. Though not heavy feeders, heucheras do benefit from regular fertilization. A general-purpose liquid feed is the best option. During winter months, you may need to fertilize with an all-purpose plant food.
These plants have stunning foliage that is both attractive and functional. The foliage can vary in color, from almost black to silver to purple to pink. Depending on their variety, they can be as large as 18 inches and can even be ruffled. Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ is particularly eye-catching because it resembles the ground cover surrounding the Buckingham Palace. The flower stalks are sturdy, and the flowers last a long time in a vase.
During the cold winter months, heucheras may lift up and die. If you have trouble determining whether your plant is ready to die, try dividing it and replanting the new plantlets. The new plantlets will root in no time. In early spring, mulch the crown of the plant with compost heap contents to conserve moisture. If the crown becomes too dry, the plant may be susceptible to crown rot.
Portulaca
One of the best outdoor plants for containers is the portulaca. These hardy plants grow best in full sun and well-draining soil. They are always available at nurseries in the Southwest. Portulaca is also known for its heavy blooms, which make them a great choice for container gardening. Portulaca plants come in several different varieties, including the red, white, yellow, and pink variety.
The blanket flower is also known as the portulaca. It blooms in early summer until frost. It is a hardy perennial that will grow back in a cold winter. It grows best in full sun but is also tolerant of partial shade, making it a popular choice for rock gardens. This ground cover plant has thin leaves arranged along tendrils. It is a great choice for hanging baskets or containers.
The portulaca has a low-spreading habit and can grow three to twelve inches tall. It grows six to 24 inches wide and needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to bloom. Portulaca is tolerant of drought, but will suffer from excessively dry soil. Because the leaves are so thin and shallow, it can be easy to accidentally overwater the plant. However, overwatering will result in root rot.
Portulaca has numerous medicinal benefits. In addition to its edible form, Portulaca can be used as a natural remedy for respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches. A Greek physician named Dioscorides even claimed that the plant was so useful that he used it as a medicine. And he was right. Portulaca is not only a beautiful plant but it has multiple uses.
Hostas
There are several types of hostas that thrive in containers. If you want to use a hosta in a container, be sure to choose one that has drainage holes and a potting mix that absorbs water. Make sure you use slow-release fertilizer to ensure that your new plants grow strong and healthy. After dividing your hostas, repot them in their new pots and water them well. Container hostas need more water than garden plants, so water them regularly in hot weather.
In order to grow in containers, hostas require regular watering. However, do not water too much or you might get marks on the leaves. Instead, give them a thorough drink every few days. If the leaves are too dry, they will wilt, indicating that they need water. Do not overwater your hosta, as this can lead to root rot. Ensure that your container is well-drained to avoid this issue.
When choosing your hostas, make sure to check the size and color of the leaves. Small varieties can grow only a few inches wide. Bigger ones can reach six to eight feet across. Always check the height and width of the mature plant, as young hostas can take two or three years before they reach their ultimate size. Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil and a slightly acidic pH.
