Bold Container Gardening

Red Banana and Forest Grass
The glossy red leaves of a potted red banana unfurl amid golden forest grass.

The arrival of May means that in my garden it is time for getting serious about container gardening. This is the time to go to a garden center and look for new and ‘must have’ plants. Last year in one of my articles, I mentioned that I counted the containers throughout my garden and the final tally at that time was 148. Since none have been broken, and a there are a few additions, I will have to get a final count later this season.

Potting Bold Container Plants

When I add new plants to an existing container that has previously been planted, if it is a small container, I take out all of the old soil and add new. If it is a large container, I take out about half of the old, add new and mix it with what is left in the container. My potting mix of choice is OMRI® Listed Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Soil. On some plants, such as Papyrus, (Cyperus papyrus), that prefer a moist soil, I will use Black Gold Waterhold Cocoblend Potting Soil. I have learned that the roots of Papyrus are so vigorous that they will fill up even a large pot with such a thick mass of roots that I need replenish the entire pot with new soil each year. However, by midsummer the plants are so stunning that I don’t mind. I have two pots of Papyrus now, newly planted on my deck, and the plants are so small that it is hard to believe how much they will have grown by midsummer.

Papyrus (Giant)
Giant papyrus make a simple, but dramatic impact in the container garden.

Bold Container Plants

I always get some plants that are new to me for my containers and this season has been no exception. Since we have some areas that are shaded, I bought felt fern (Pyrrosia haslata) and find that these have already drawn attention of visitors. It is a terrestrial fern with smooth-edged fleshy fronds and a felt-like underside. Another new container combination that I planted is cabbage tree (Cussonia spicata) and at the base I planted Acacia Cognata Dwarf, sometimes referred to as ‘Cousin It’ because of the thick and thin branches. I do not expect these to be winter hardy here, especially in a container, but the cabbage tree has such an unusual leaf pattern that I believe will draw attention and in my mind I will consider them both annuals.

Papyrus 5-8-15
This newly planted papyrus will fill the summer pot in no time!

There are some plants that I continually repeat plant every spring because they are ‘must haves’, and they have become traditional plants for our deck. Several salvias are included in this mix with Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ being a long time favorite. With blue flowers that are now appearing, they will continue to bloom all summer and are a magnet for hummingbirds. A new salvia for me last year was ‘Amistad’, which is similar to ‘Black and Blue’ except the flowers are purple. It is also excellent for attracting hummingbirds. Digiplexis ‘Illumination Flame’ was new to me last year but has already been planted this season. It has continuous blooms on tall stalks, like foxgloves to which it is related, but unlike a foxglove it blooms all summer with yellow centered coral peach flowers. It has proved to be an outstanding plant.

One of the many advantages of container gardening is that pots can be moved around, depending on the season. We had hellebores blooming on our deck containers this winter but have now moved them back part of our garden since their blooming period is over. Summer pots get filled with bold, warm season standbys like red banana, a perennial favorite that’s a real standout with big, glossy, reddish leaves.

What can be planted in a container can be endless, and there are so many wonderful choices for pottery that contrasting the color of the pot with the flowers and/or foliage of a container can make for an eye catching display that can be seasonal.

Island With Pots - Photo by Rich Baer
This “island of pots” shows how creative gardeners can be with bold container plantings!

 

 

About Mike Darcy


Mike lives and gardens in a suburb of Portland, Oregon where he has resided since 1969. He grew in up Tucson, Arizona where he worked at a small retail nursery during his high school and college years. He received his formal education at the University of Arizona where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture, and though he values his formal education, he values his field-experience more. It is hard to beat the ‘hands on’ experience of actually gardening, visiting gardens, and sharing information with other gardeners. Mike has been involved with gardening communications throughout his adult life. In addition to garden writing, he has done television gardening shows in Portland, and for over 30 years he hosted a Saturday radio talk show in Portland. Now he writes, speaks, gardens and continues to share his love of gardening. To be connected to the gardening industry is a bonus in life for Mike. He has found gardeners to be among the friendliest and most caring, generous people. Consequently, many of his friends he has met through gardening.

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