Category: Plants in containers

In this article, we will discover how to create a versatile window box. We all know that window boxes will be on show all the time and if they do not look their best, it can easily spoil the display. How do you avoid this, which will be answered in this article?

Often window boxes will use temporary plants that need to be replaced often, so instead of actually planting the specimens in, it will be better to fill the box with a growing media and plunge the pots up to the rim in them.  This is better than constantly …

In this article, we will be discussing how to grow Ajugas in containers. It is such a beautiful plant but in the ground bugleweed as it is commonly known can become a menace, where it can take over the ground it is planted in. It is a low growing plant, a carpeting or matting plant that has beautiful foliage and in spring wonderful blue spikes of flowers appear. The leaves are colourful and come from a short rosette of leaves. I personally think the leaves are better than the blooms, but together they complement each other.

You notice I said …

In this article, we will discover how to grow Alchemilla mollis in containers. If there is a plant that should be grown in containers then this is it, as in the ground it can quickly become invasive and a quick spreader. Alchemilla mollis or Lady’s mantle to give its common name is an easy to grow herbaceous perennial and can take hard frosts.

It will also adapt quickly and easily to any growing conditions it finds itself in. The grey-green leaves of this plant are pleated and scalloped edged that often retain water after it has rained.

The leaves look …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Phoenix palms (Phoenix canariensis) in containers. In gardening, we often look to the unusual to fulfil our tastes for the exotic. We want feature plants that not only looks stunning but is an eye-catching feature to which we are instantly drawn too.

Phoenix canariensis, often known as the Canary Date Palm, is a graceful palm with long spreading green, architectural leaves. The leaves are stiffly upright and emerge from a short, columnar trunk. It is a native of the Canary Islands to where it takes both its Latin and common name.…

In this article, we will discover how Hebes can be successfully grown in containers. In the UK, you will notice Hebes in many gardens, but not so often grown in containers. You wonder is it possible to do so and in this article, I will show you how.

Hebes are plants that come from New Zealand, but most plants nowadays come from South America and Australia. They are showy plants best displayed in a predominant position.

People want to grow Hebes for two reasons; the colourful leaves that they have and the mid to late summer flowers that they produce. …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow this beautiful architectural plant Fatsia in containers. The one species that tend to be grown on containers is Fatsia japonica and this is the one that will be described in this article.

Fatsia japonica is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 1.5m high in containers that have wonderful elegant leaves. It has many common names from umbrella plant, Japanese Aralia to False Castor Oil plant due to the leaves having a resemblance to the castor oil plant.

Fatsia originates from the Orient and therefore will do well if the …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow compact juniper varieties (Juniperus Species) in containers. Often when you want a plant that is stately and will appear to the naked eye, then Junipers are one of the best conifers that you can grow in the container garden. Junipers make great feature plants in containers.

They are a large genus of trees but often these evergreen plants get too big to be used in containers but there are some that can be grown. They are popular container plants as they require little in the way of care or maintenance. Great …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Heath or Ericas in containers. They not only look beautiful but they can be used to give a home to wildlife, especially bees when little is in bloom. They not only flower but offer permanent greenery when colours will be most appreciated. There is a great variation in foliage forms and in the colour of the flowers. Some even have a scent so what is not to like about these shrubs, as they bring so much colour in winter then it is hard to beat.

Ericas like its cousins Calluna (…

In this article, we will be discussing how to grow Scottish heather or Callunas in containers. If you go to the Scottish highlands you will often see heathers growing but you wonder if they can be grown in containers. Calluna vulgaris is the sole species in the genus, a part of the Ericaceae family. It has many common names such as common heather, ling plant heather, Scottish heather.

It is native to Europe, where dwarf heathers are grown for its flowers that appear in later summer and autumn and sometimes for its colourful foliage that appear in late autumn and …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow this wonderfully colourful subshrub Argyranthemums in containers.  You may find them sold under the more common name of marguerite. They are a firm favourite of gardeners for one specific reason is that this tender perennial/subshrub has one of the longest flowering periods of any flowers that thrive in containers. As they are tender they are treated as annuals for discarding at the end of the growing season.

The heavy serrated, fern-like green leaves are attractive as they appear in a tight mount but nothing special compared to the flowers that are …