If you’re looking for the best plants for pots all year round, consider yuccas. These plants thrive in most USDA zones four through 10, although some varieties can tolerate zone three. They grow well in a variety of soil types and require a free-draining potting mix. The foliage blends beautifully with shrubs and other plants, so they make excellent choices for a pot. Here are some of the best plants for pots that will keep their beauty throughout the year.
Herbs
One of the best herbs for pots all year round is chives. This bushy perennial has a peppery flavor and can be used in cooking, salads, and herb butters. The leaves are edible and can be harvested in autumn and spring. Winter savory is a perennial, so you can start it from seeds or cuttings. These plants are also very popular with pollinators. They can be grown from a grocery store lemongrass stalk.
To grow your own herbs in pots, be sure they receive enough sunlight. Herbs require about six hours of direct sunlight daily. You can check the strength of sunlight by turning off your lights for a day. It’s also essential to use a container with proper drainage so water doesn’t sit in the pots and rot the roots. Herbs can be planted in any container as long as it is well-drained and has holes for water to drain.
Thyme is one of the best herbs for pots because it grows in containers and is drought-tolerant. This herb looks great when planted at the front of a pot because the leaves grow over the edge of the container. English thyme has yellow and green foliage, and Lemon thyme is scented like a bold lemon. Sage is another herb that grows well in pots. While most herbs are drought-tolerant, they can grow in pots that are still moist.
Evergreens
You can plant a wide variety of evergreens in pots, from simple terra cotta terrariums to large containers filled with vibrant flowers. When choosing plants for pots, always consider their USDA hardiness zone. While evergreens are best grown in the ground, many varieties thrive in containers. If you’re looking for container plants that will thrive, boxwoods are the answer. They are hardy in zones four through nine, and even smaller varieties make manageable mounds of color.
Depending on the location of your home, you can plant a variety of evergreens in pots all year long. The lily-of-the-valley bush, also known as fetterbush, will provide you with beautiful winter color. These evergreen shrubs are native to Japan, Taiwan, and North America. Once planted, they will require minimal care and are perfect for pot displays.
Containers offer many benefits for evergreens. You can move them around to accommodate your needs and can repotted into a larger pot when the time comes. If they don’t fit in the pot, you can plant them in the ground. But be sure to take care of them so that they don’t become stressed. They are easy to care for and can survive a wide range of temperatures.
Perennials
Perennials in pots need two growing seasons before reaching their full potential. Planting them in containers is not as productive as planting them in the ground. To get the most out of a pot, choose plants that reach a minimum of 12″ in width and six to nine inches apart. You can also include annuals in your container to fill in the spaces. Remember, perennials do not overwinter well in containers, so make sure you choose a hardier zone for your plants.
Choose hardy euonymus for an all-year-round pot display. This plant is available in a variety of sizes and is compatible with most soils. It can be grown in zones 4-9, depending on the variety. Another attractive evergreen shrub that can be grown in pots is the skimmia japonica. These shrubs provide color all year long. They are a great choice for sunny areas of your garden.
This flowering plant will provide a strong vertical element to your pot. This perennial blooms in June and July and is a great choice for zones three and four. It has lovely foliage and thrives in part sun and can reach as high as 3 feet tall. It also tolerates full sun but prefers part shade. A pot of this perennial will be well worth the effort and will reward you with its blooms throughout the entire growing season.
Clematis
The most commonly grown clematis are the dwarf varieties. The dwarf types are generally hardier and can grow as high as 50 feet. When it comes to choosing a plant for pots, you should look for varieties with a symbol “c” for container growth. There are some specific needs when growing a clematis in a container, and these factors should be considered before you purchase a plant.
Generally speaking, a clematis should be planted in a rich soil that is enriched with organic matter. If the soil is too dense, you should mix it with coarse sand or perlite to provide adequate aeration. Water the pot frequently, and make sure it is at least one growing zone above your home’s. When you buy your plant, remember to irrigate it regularly.
When to Plant Clematis in pots, you can start planting as soon as the ground is workable. Plant them in the spring or autumn, and be patient! They respond to the seasons like bulbs, producing vigorous root growth and 2 or 3 feet of top growth before any noticeable root activity. Fall planting is ideal for climates with warm winters, because planting in spring may stunt growing tips. Fall planting promotes root development and a bushier plant.
The best clematis for pots are those that reach 10 feet in height. Many varieties can reach 20 feet or more, but compact clematis will only reach a height of four to eight feet. Still, they will bloom for seven inches, and you will be able to attract hummingbirds and bees to your garden. The Nocturne Pot Obelisk and Mazzzano Self Watering Planter are both perfect containers for clematis.
Hostas
One of the best things about hostas is that they thrive in pots and do not require a lot of care. Although they require a dormant period when the soil becomes too dry, they can be brought out of the ground after a hard frost. Hostas are also very easy to transplant, so you can move them from one pot to another as they grow. You can divide a large plant into smaller pieces and replant it to a new one.
When planting hostas, be sure to dig extra holes in the pot so that water can drain out. The best time to divide a large hosta is in the spring or autumn. Divide the large plant to get two healthy shoots on each division. Be careful not to pull the roots as some of them have fibrous roots. After dividing the plants, plant them within a few inches of each other.
You can also try using a larger pot for the plants you want to grow in a pot. A wider pot is better for the plants as they won’t become root bound as easily and will require less maintenance. If you don’t have the space for a large pot, you can use a half barrel instead. The width of the pot will depend on the size of the hostas you’re planting.
Camellia x williamsii
A camellia is one of the most beautiful plants in the world and can flourish in a pot year-round. They have glossy, evergreen foliage and large, showy flowers in the spring. Some cultivars have longer flowering periods than others, while others are compact and make excellent subjects for pots. Here are some tips for growing camellias.
Camellia x williamsl. williamsii is a hybrid of two species of camellias, the japonica and the saluensis. It was first commercialized in the late 1920s, and its single flowers are now doubled. Plants with a japonica cultivar are best for container gardening.
A camellia that grows well in pots needs an ericaceous potting compost with no lime added. The camellia should be planted in a pot 30cm diameter and deep enough to accommodate its roots. Camellias require regular watering but need to stay moist. They require a good drainage system. Avoid planting them in a container if it is exposed to cold winds.
When planting your camellia, choose a spot in the garden where it will get plenty of sunlight. Camellias need a slightly acidic soil, and rainwater is best. Tap water is alkaline. Occasionally watering your camellias with tap water will not harm them, but continuous watering will. If your climate doesn’t get enough rain, water collectors are the best solution.