When it comes to choosing flowers for your outdoor plantings, you have a few different options. In this article, you’ll learn which plants are most suitable for the conditions you’re in, how to choose the right plants for your outdoor pots, and what flowers thrive in your area. Then, you can try them out yourself! Dahlias, Impatiens, Zinnias, and more are all great choices for outdoor plants!
Dahlias
Dahlias are easy to grow in pots, but they do need a slightly larger container than most other flowers. Most varieties are happy in a 12 to 14-inch pot. It is also necessary to make sure the pot has good drainage, because standing water will cause the tubers to rot. Once they are established, you can plant them outdoors as soon as the soil reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
In order to get the most blooms, dahlias need six hours of direct sunlight per day. To get the most blooms, fertilize them once a month with a water-soluble organic fertilizer. If you don’t fertilize your dahlias often, they may end up with green, leafy growth, rather than flowers. You should also mulch your dahlias to keep out weeds and retain moisture.
During cold winters, dahlias can be overwintered indoors. If your area does not get any frosts, simply dig the tubers up and store them in a dry basement or cardboard box. After a few frosts, you can plant them outside after the risk of frost has passed. Dahlias will flower all throughout the summer and fall, so you can enjoy their beauty during the whole year.
If you’re planting a dahlia in a pot, choose a dwarf or medium-sized variety. Tall varieties need a larger pot. You’ll also need a sturdy pot, either ceramic or terracotta. A pot that has drainage holes at the bottom is preferable, as a waterlogged pot will result in rotted roots. It’s also a good idea to stake dahlias to help with the weight.
Petunias
If you want to have a beautiful flowering plant in a pot outdoors, consider growing petunias. Petunias are easy to care for and require only minimal care. During the first year, you can begin by giving seedlings a teaspoon of balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. After they emerge from the seedling tray, water them thoroughly, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist. For continued flowering, feed petunias regularly between late spring and mid-autum. Use a slow-release liquid fertilizer, like a balanced fertilizer, once or twice a month.
Once established, petunias need consistent watering. A six to eight-inch pot should be enough for a new plant. During the hottest part of the day, you can move the container to an area with a little shade. In hotter regions, you can try re-potting the plants to a bigger pot. Keep in mind that petunias prefer full sun, but a little bit of shade will also help them survive.
If you grow petunias in pots, you should be careful to deadhead them to prevent seed pods from competing with the blooms. The clippings can be added to a compost pile or recycled. Some of the best varieties are the ‘Carpet Series’, ‘Primetime’, and ‘Sugar Daddy’ series. The latter features compact, dark purple flowers. ‘Rose Star’ (Petunia Ultra Series) has a white center.
Impatiens
Impatiens are typically grown as annuals, but they can tolerate some sun as long as they receive a consistent supply of water. Because their stems are liquid-filled vessels, they require an evenly moist soil to grow and bloom properly. Impatiens require frequent watering, and they can wilt if they’re too dry. To keep your impatiens happy, be sure to check the soil every two weeks.
In addition to impatiens flowers for pots outdoors, they are perfect plants for container gardens. While you can’t use real soil in a container garden, you can use a soil-less mix consisting of peat moss, perlite, and perlite. This mix should be fluffy and just moist enough to plant impatiens. If you have a drainage hole in your container, you can place a broken pottery on it to prevent leakage. To keep impatiens blooming, use a balanced slow-release fertilizer every three weeks.
After preparing the soil, plant the impatiens seeds in a shady spot for one to two hours each day. If you are a lazy gardener, allow them to go to seed if you wish. Once they’re in the ground, they’ll burst into seeds, which will likely grow next year, provided conditions are right. If the soil is bone-dry, the impatiens will suffer from rot and fungal disease.
Zinnias
Growing zinnias is simple. They require fertile soil and full sun. They also like room to roam. They are not tolerant of cold, wet conditions or cramped conditions. Here’s a guide to starting plants from seeds indoors. Zinnias grow best in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Once planted, zinnias grow quickly and can last for several weeks in a pot.
To plant zinnias in pots outdoors, start them from seeds indoors six weeks before the last spring frost. Sow the seeds in moist soil and cover with a thin layer of soil. When the weather warms up, transplant them into larger pots. They will bloom in a few weeks. Zinnias will make great cut flowers and are easy to grow. Keeping them in a cool, shady place will ensure that they bloom well.
Planting zinnias in pots outdoors is easy. You should use potting mix that is moist and drains well. After the soil has been mixed with potting mix, place the plant in the pot. Water the plant thoroughly until water drains out the drain hole. Zinnias tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from 60 to eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Because they tolerate high levels of heat and drought, they are drought-tolerant. But remember to give them plenty of water to thrive.
Calendula
You can plant calendula seeds in the ground in a cool area with 6 hours of sunlight a day. They can also be started under fluorescent lights. Seeds will germinate in five to 14 days. Remove seedlings from plastic wrap and rotate to prevent leggy seedlings. Once the first frost date passes, you can transplant them to the outdoors. A hard frost may kill the plant.
Harvesting the calendula flower head is easy. Harvest them early in the morning when they are fully opened. Turn the flowers often to ensure the petals dry. Place dried calendula flowers on a screen and let them dry until the petals are papery. When the flower heads are dry, you can arrange them to create a beautiful display. If you prefer to dry the flowers yourself, you can separate them into flower heads and petals.
You can plant both types of calendula flowers in your container or garden. Calendula is cold-hardy, growing from 18 to 24 inches tall. Calendula can be used in cooking as they last longer than a seven-day standard. Calendula is a companion plant for many different plants, including vegetable and herb gardens. They can be grown with various flower plants and contrast their colors for accenting depth in your garden.
Heucheras
Heucheras for pots outdoors do best in partial shade. You can plant them as a ground cover or underplanting and cut back their foliage in spring to encourage new growth. You can even transplant them outdoors! Heucheras grow well in a variety of soil types, including a loam compost. Make sure to give them ample drainage. Mulch after planting to retain moisture and provide an attractive finish. Apply a slow release fertiliser to the soil and work it into the surface of the plant’s leaves. Heucheras will require pruning to keep their foliage attractive and healthy.
When planting a heuchera for pots outdoors, make sure that the container is large enough for the plant to grow for at least two years. Make sure to use a planting pot that is at least 50% larger than the root ball of the plant. The color of the container also affects the color of the plant. Select a container that matches the style of the pot and other plants in the area. Whether you choose green or red containers is entirely up to you.
The foliage of heucheras is their most impressive feature. They are heart-shaped, round, and often variegated. The plants are easy to grow from seed or cuttings. Make sure to purchase a healthy plant from a reputable local nursery to avoid disease. After cutting, plant them in shallow soil and place them in a shady location to recover their roots. Remember to bring your heucheras indoors if temperatures are extreme. During dormancy, keep the soil slightly moist, but not too much.