Container Plants and Gardening

In this article, we will discuss how to grow this ornamental sedge (Carex species) in containers. Carex comes from Asia, New Zealand and Europe that has been grown in gardens for many years.

They are grown for the colourful leaves that are often variegated that is best shown off in containers. You can buy varieties that has arching, cascading leaves that soften the edges of containers or you can buy erect varieties that will grow in any container.

What is unusual is the plant like cooler temperatures and will actively grow in spring and autumn, but not much so in …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow this wonderful colourful flowering plant of Canna in Containers. These are half-hardy rhizomatous perennials that are not only grown for their flowers but also for their elegant long, green banana leaves. It not only adds flamboyance but also height to container displays, where the blooms can be appreciated from June to October.

As said earlier they are not fully hardy so you will need to overwinter them in the most sheltered area of the garden or move them into a greenhouse for winter protection. What I would do is add a …

In this article, we will be discussing how to create a stunning window box display in a simple plastic box. Who does not like a stunning display of plants under a window, where they can be admired every time you look out or every time you look up from outside?

When you are going for an impactful window box display use short stocky plants and compact trailing plants, as they do not too big and eventually cut out the light.

As it will be often neglected, it is a good idea to choose drought-tolerant plants. This is advised as they …

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 …