If you’re looking for the best plants for winter pots, there are several options you can choose from. Winter pansies, for example, will bloom long and enjoy cooler temperatures. They come in a variety of colors and prefer temperatures between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Tulips, meanwhile, come in a variety of colors, including pastel shades. Here are some recommendations:
Irises
Irises are one of the most popular plants to grow in a pot in the winter. These perennials prefer full sun, and if planted in a container, they must be potted in well-draining soil. If the soil isn’t well-drained, irises will quickly get waterlogged. In addition, a well-draining pot reduces the risk of root rot.
If you live in a mild climate, irises will stay green during winter, but in colder climates they’ll start to die off. To prevent this, cut off dying leaves from the plant every six inches. This will ensure that the plant spends its energy on its roots rather than flowering. Once this happens, you can plant irises in winter pots again the following spring.
Irises are among the most beautiful pot plants in the winter. The flowering period can last from January to March. The iris is a hardy plant, and it can grow as tall as six inches (15 cm). The blooming season for irises varies, with dwarf and intermediate cultivars achieving their highest flowering during the spring and early summer. Plants can be planted in early spring and late summer and are reliable in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.
Irises grow better in containers than in the ground, and bearded types do better in pots. They require less soil depth, and bearded types have rows of fuzzy hair on their fall petals. Crested irises can also grow well in pots, and they spread quickly. You can choose from any of these varieties, based on their growing conditions. Just make sure you know what you’re doing and how to care for your irises properly.
Crocus
The sweet reward of winter comes in the form of crocus. Plant them with tulips, snowdrops, and daffodils. The crocus flower is extremely cold-hardy, and they look great in winter pots and gardens. Here are some tips to help you grow a successful crocus in your winter pots. Read on for more information. Also, remember that crocus needs 12 weeks of cold treatment.
Before planting your Crocus in pots, prepare a large container with drainage holes. Also, use a well-draining soil, ideally a commercial potting mix. Plant the bulbs about 3 inches deep and two to three inches apart, ensuring that the pointed end faces up. If you are planning on planting Crocus in a container, make sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic material. This will raise the level of the soil and improve drainage. You can also use compost to plant the bulbs on their side, where their roots will direct them into the proper position.
The best winter conditions for crocus are 35degF or colder. These temperatures are extreme in USDA Hardiness Zone 3, which is where Crocuses grow best. However, they will stay in the soil until the following spring. Planting your crocus at four inches deep will ensure that the corms stay warm. If you have a cold winter, you should also consider planting crocus in a cold greenhouse.
You should also be aware of the dangers of squirrels. When the weather is cooler and more pleasant, crocus bulbs will produce flowers. During this time, they are vulnerable to damage caused by hungry squirrels. You can protect your bulbs by using netting or wire mesh. This will keep squirrels out. This will help you maintain your winter pots as beautiful as possible. You can also buy heirloom varieties of Crocus at Old House Gardens.
Ivy
Ivy is one of the best plants to choose for your winter pots, and it has many benefits. It has a wide range of habitats and grows well indoors in pots. Its aerial roots and short stems make it a flexible plant, and you can train it up a moss pole if you wish to make it climb even higher. Ivy is a versatile plant, and can be used in both shady and sunny areas.
Ivy is notorious for its rampant growth, so it may be best to grow it in small pots. This way, they will not overtake your container planting. However, it can easily grow into a half-barrel planter in a year. A few cyclamen bushes can also make for a beautiful winter container, but they won’t withstand a full winter in the outdoor setting. They can be brought indoors and kept in a sunny window.
Choosing the right winter container is also important. During the coldest part of the year, the soil needs to be warm enough to maintain moisture. Make sure you choose a frost-resistant container for this plant. If your winter pots are made of clay, they need to be protected from frost. For best results, bunch your containers together or cover individual pots with bubble wrap. If you’re not sure how to store your pots, you can also purchase a small terracotta trough, which will be a perfect addition to your winter garden.
Choose the right species and type of ivy for the winter. The ‘Rubella’ variety is a tough evergreen shrub that bears grape-like clusters of tight pink buds in winter. Phormium is another colourful architectural evergreen that will not spill over into the container but will train itself up a topiary frame or trellis. You can also choose the various varieties of ivy, but be sure to buy them in the outdoor section of the nursery. Ivy may not be hardened off enough to survive the winter, and so you should be careful when choosing which type to buy.
Iris ‘Touch of Gold(tm) Holly
Iris ‘Touch of Golden(tm) Holly’ has beautiful golden variegated leaves and will add color to a winter pot. Its woody branches will accentuate the container and provide a rich contrast to any space. This low-maintenance dwarf plant will grow to about two feet. Iris ‘Adorned’ will add reliable fall color to a pot.
Iris ‘Touch of Golden(tm) Holly grows to a height of two feet and width of four feet. You can plant two to three of these in a winter-time container, ensuring that each plant has ample sunlight. If you are using potted plants for winter decoration, keep them at least three feet apart. Its bright foliage will attract children’s attention.
Another choice for winter pots is Iris ‘Touch of Gold’, a compact, yellow-white blooming bulb. This plant can be planted alone or mixed with other plants that grow in full sun. Iris ‘Touch of Gold(tm) Holly grows to six inches (15cm) in height. It needs full sunlight and a well-drained soil to bloom. It is low-maintenance and grows well in winter containers.
Heather plants add texture and colour to winter pots. Heathers can be subtle or full of colour. Heather plants can be white, cream, or pink, with the occasional splash of purple or pink. Heather plants are excellent for wildlife habitats, as they provide pollen and nectar for pollinating insects. They prefer ericaceous compost and acidic soil.
Yucca
The foliage of a yucca plant is graceful, and its pale-green leaves add an exotic touch to any room. If you notice your yucca losing its leaves, they’re either too dry or have too much water. To remedy this problem, move your yucca to a sunny window, and prune off the leaves once they have dried. If you’re not sure what to do, you can buy a fungicide at a local nursery.
A yucca is cold-hardy and drought-tolerant, but it does best in sunny, dry areas. In the summer, yuccas produce fragrant blooms on three to six-foot stems. Late winter foliage can be flat, but it will perk up again in the spring. Trim it back to maintain a tidy appearance. Decorative yuccas are the perfect winter pot plant.
Water your yucca plant regularly. Watering can be less frequent than regular plants, but it is important not to suffocate its roots. Water the soil liberally during the summer months, but keep it dry in winter. Watering should be no more than half a gallon per watering session. Always check the soil with your finger before watering. Remember that overwatering can lead to root rot, one of the most common plant diseases.
Yuccas thrive best in low-humidity environments. The ideal temperature for yuccas is 30% to 50%. If your home is susceptible to excessive humidity, you can purchase a hygrometer and monitor the humidity. Yuccas are hardy plants, and will thrive with some maintenance. These plants don’t like the cold, so you may need to repot them every couple of years.
