Category: Plants in containers

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the short-lived perennials of Antirrhinums in containers. They are wonderful colourful plants that have the common name of Snapdragons. It is a firm favourite, old-fashioned cottage plant that is loved by insects. There are so many varieties all having different colours under the rainbow and growing heights.

Although they are short-lived perennials, they are treated as annuals because they tend to suffer from diseases that make the plant unattractive the next growing season. Anybody who has snapdragons in the garden will tell you that they are prolific self-seeders and you will …

In this article, we will discover how to grow Solanum pseudocapsicum in a container. As seen from the title of this article this plant has many common names from winter, Christmas, Jerusalem or Madeira Cherry. Whatever you want to call it, it is a beautiful plant to have in the container garden at an often dreary time of year.

You will often see them in garden centres or shops from late summer to early autumn. It is a small perennial bush that is part of the Solanaceae family to which the tomato, potato, pepper, chilli and aubergine belong.

A lot …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow a wonderful and delightful, half-hardy bedding plant of Ageratum in Containers. This is a low growing plant that can grow up to 30cm tall and therefore suitable to be grown in containers. They are grown for the soft blue, purple, pink, red and white flowers that are produced en mass in summer.

The flowers are composed of tightly packed individual blooms that give an effect of a posy. The common name of floss flower is well earnt. These are great flowers if you want plants in the pastel colour scheme.

They …

In this article, we will be discussing how to grow the wonderfully scented shrub of Skimmia in containers. This time of year in autumn is the best time to buy this compact shrub. It produces evergreen glossy leaves and in spring wonderfully honey-scented male or female flowers open to shout the joys of this season. Once smelled it will not be soon forgotten. In autumn the flowers are followed by beautiful red berries.

This will only happen if a male and female species are within close proximity to each other. It is possible to grow female varieties and have no …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Syringa (Lilacs) in containers. You often see large lilacs in gardens throughout the UK and you wonder if they can be grown in containers? In this article, this question will be answered.

They are beautiful shrubs that have beautiful blooms and an unmistakable fragrance. To those who have a big garden, it is a must, but for those who have small gardens or unsuitable growing conditions, then it is best to grow them in containers.

Lilacs by their nature prefer to grow in the ground where the roots are allowed to …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Stipa tenuissima, now officially known as Nassella tenuissima, in containers. Mexican feather grass as it is commonly known is grown for the clumps of airy, hairy-like evergreen leaves and for their delicate flowers that are produced in summer.

The flowers look elegant as they sway in a summer breeze. In late summer the leaves turn a bronze colour with orange and red streaks that lasts all winter through.

It is a plant that gives colour in spring and summer and different colours in winter. What more can you ask for a …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Thymus (Thyme) in containers. You will discover that it is much more than a culinary herb, as the scent is delightful and the leaves are often beautifully variegated and colourful. The flowers are a magnet to wildlife, whilst the edible leaves can be used fresh or dried. It can be used to flavour soups, fish dishes, meat dishes, stuffings and vegetables dishes.

It is also a drought-tolerant plant once established and will make a great addition to a sunny patio. A plant that not only looks attractive, smells attractive but has …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Tolmiea menziesii outdoor in containers during the summer months. They are hardy plants and can be grown outdoors as a semi-evergreen perennial with mounds of maple-shaped leaves.

It is a member of the family Saxifragaceae and has the common name of youth on age, pick-a-black plant, piggyback plant and thousand mothers. It occurs naturally in various states of America and is a naturalised plant in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Northern England.

In its natural growing environment, it is a spreading plant growing in the shade under the canopy of trees.…

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Trachycarpus fortunei in a container. If you want a palm tree that will make a statement in your container display, plants that have a wow factor then this is a tree for you.

Trachycarpus fortunei or Chusan fan palm, windmill palm or Chinese windmill palm to give its common names, will certainly give a feel of the sub-tropics in your container garden.

It is a palm tree that is native to central China, Burma and Northern India, where it can grow in mountainous regions (as high as 2400m). In its native …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Uncinia (Hook Sedge) in containers. This is a sedge, a New Zealand Hook Sedge to be precise, is not like other sedges you find in the home garden.  It is not large, nor brassy and certainly not invasive compared to the other sedges.

Uncinia is such an ugly word for such a pretty plant that you would want in the container garden. What more can you ask for a plant, as it is evergreen (although the preferred variety to grow has copper-red leaves) and it is one of the most attractive …