Container Plants and Gardening

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the border perennial Brunnera in containers. Brunnera is the only species of Brunnera that belongs to the genus of Boraginaceae (the Borage or forget-me-not family).

It is a rhizomatous perennial that is native to the woodlands of Eastern Europe and West Asia.

It has the reputation of being easy to grow, thriving in any conditions as long as it is not too dry. If you look at them they look at first glance like a giant forget-me-not -a Myopsis and hence its common name. No matter what, it is a great …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the perennial Catananche in containers. Catananche is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the Asteraceae family (the Aster Family), where 5 species are known to exist. The only species of Catananche that is grown in the UK is Catananche caerulea, whereas the other 4 are not readily seen. It has the common name of cupid’s dart and the leaves are grey-green in colour.

It is grown for its bright blue, white or white/blue cornflower-like blooms that appear from early to late summer. Each flower has silvery buds and is …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the tall elegant perennial of Asphodelus in containers. It is a tuberous perennial that belongs to its own family of Asphodelaceae- the Asphodel family, where 17 species are known to exist. It used to belong to the lily family but now it is moved to its own family as stated earlier. Asphodelus is native to Europe, especially around the Mediterranean area, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.

They have also been introduced and naturalised in New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and parts of the United States.

In Greek mythology, Asphodelus …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the cottage favourite of Astrantia in containers. Astrantia is a genus of herbaceous perennials that belong to the Apiaceae family (the celery family). It is found throughout Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, but not found in the Colder Northern parts. Astrantia is a small genus, where only 11 species are known to exist and most are not seen in the garden, especially in the UK. It has the common name of Masterwort but it can be sold as Melancholy Gentleman or Hattie’s Pincushion.

This is a perennial for the shade. In …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the not often seen but still colourful bulb of Brimeura in containers. Brimeura is a bulb-forming perennial plant that belongs to the Asparagacaea (the Asparagus) family, where 3 species are known to exist. The Dutch hyacinths you will find everywhere but not the Spanish ones. It can be said to be the showier than the Dutch Hyacinth and flowers later.

Brimeura is generally found growing in South-East Europe and on certain islands in the West Mediterranean. It is believed it gets its name after the 17th century Netherland botanist Marie de …

In this article, we will discover how to grow the tender perennial of Calandrinia in containers. Calandrinias are a large group of flowering plants that include 100 species of annuals and perennials. The flowers are noted for the colourful trumpet-like or daisy-like blooms that are produced in summer that often come in shades of red, purple and white.  The plants are often naturally found in North, South and Central America, along with Australia. It has also been introduced to New Zealand, South Africa, Asia and Europe.

The plant when not in flower is nothing special as it has a basal …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the not often seen Baptisia in containers. Baptisia is actually a member of the Legume (Pea family), where blue pea-like flowers are produced in summer. These are followed by black seed pods.

This herbaceous perennial is often seen as an inferior plant to the often grown cousin of Lupine. It is a native woodland and grassland plant found in Eastern and Southern North America where 26 species are known to exist. The ones you are likely to find in garden centres and online are based on Baptisia australis.

The leaves are …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the tender perennial of Browallia in containers. Browallia was formally sold many years ago as a houseplant but people started to grow them as a half-hardy annual bedding plant. It is a small genus of seven flowering plants, where most are annuals or short-lived perennials that belong to the nightshade family, Named after the Swedish botanist Johan Browall.

They are found in North America, Mexico and South America and are not naturally found in the UK as demonstrated by very few gardeners growing them. This does not mean you should not …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the annual or tender perennial plant of Arctotis in containers. Arctotis belongs to the family Asteraceae, where up to 20 species are known to exist. It is native to areas in South Africa, where it grows on stony slopes. Its common name is African or Cape Daisy and typical of plants from this region. The plants have daisy-like composite flowers that tend to close in late afternoons or on cloudy days.

True plant breeding has created a number of cultivars for use in the garden that tends to stay open for …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the unusual perennial Asclepias in containers.  There are tender species but also hardy ones, which are recommended to be grown in the UK. It has the common name Milkweed because of the milky latex substance that can cause heart attacks, especially if the cells are damaged and the plant is consumed. Saying that there are insects, such as the Monarch butterfly who feed on the leaves and on the nectar the flowers produce. In fact, the larvae are host plants for these butterflies and use them for their survival.

It is …