by Sammy Stein

Created on: August 29, 2011

Potted perennials are very useful in any garden. They can be used to add splashes of color to dull areas, to introduce a change of form or height and you can change and move the pots around the garden as the seasons change.

A key to success with potted perennials is planting them and good planting will ensure they remain healthy and long lived so you can reduce maintenance and enjoy the plants for longer.

First, decide on the plants you want. Choose the colors, sizes and types of plants you want as potted perennials. Which would be the most useful to be able to move around? They need not all be flowering plants, sometimes shrubs can be useful because you can move them to block paths, add direction and introduce a foil against which to show other features. Think about colors and how the plant will look either alone as specimens or grouped together.

Once you have decided your plants, have a look in good directories and find out the pH, soil type and position they like. One advantage with perennials in pots is that you can have plants which like different soils and pH because you simply use the right growing medium in the pot, whereas in the garden, you are more limited due to the prevailing soil type.

Then consider the containers. They need to be visually pleasing and fit with the rest of the garden design. They also need to be the right size for your perennials because too large or too osmall pots wil cause problems and if the plant outgrows its pot it will become root bound and you will be unable to move it to a large pot or into the garden later. The pots should not be too heavy for the surface where you will place them. If you are putting them on shelves or have a roof terrace, the weight of the container will matter. If you are placing them on a sruface which is easily damaged the container should hold any water which drains out using a second outer reservoir. All pots need good drainage to prevent fungus infections in the roots.

Then choose your plants. Buy healthy plants which are not root bound and have no signs of disease or pests. They should be even growing with healthy and green tips and shoots. Choose them for color, texture, form, size and flowering times.

Place drainange materials like gravel at the bottom of the container. Half fill the pot with the right growing medium for the chosen plant(s). Water or soak the plants well prior to planting. Gently remove the plants from their nursery pots and gently tease out some of the roots to ensure good contact with the growing medium in the pot. Place the plants in the container and fill in. Firm the soil down and water. Plants should beplanted as deep as the nursery line.

Check the plants regularly for any signs of distress and treat pests and diseases as soon as you spot them. Once planted and established, place the pots where you want them and then, most importantly, enjoy!

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