Wildflower Wednesday: Growing Wildflowers in Containers

 I used to think my garden wasn't sunny enough for the prairie wildflowers and Central Basin natives that I adore. Not anymore, now I plant my favorite wildflowers in containers and place them where ever it's sunny.

Joe-pye a few summers ago spent two seasons in a container

I have been gardening this way since I realized that the sunniest sections of my garden were also the ones with the shallowest soil. When I say shallow, I mean three or four inches of decent soil that sits on top of enormous limestone boulders and bedrock.  I've been able to pry out smaller rocks and plant a prized wildflower, but not always. It used to be maddening, then, I figured out that those shallow spots were opportunities for me to add my favorite native wildflowers to the garden...in containers!

April 2018

In this front garden bed (April 2017) I have two containers of Boltonia,  a lovely glazed purple pot with Phlox 'Jeana' and several pots of Liatris spicata. Early this summer I added two large containers planted with non-native Salvias and African Blue Basil that bloom until frost. The pollinators love them.

Where ever there's sun I place containers. You'll find dozens of wildflowers planted in containers at the top of the driveway. There's also a ten foot culinary bay tree and a large Rosemary. I've even  planted evergreen shrubs in large galvanized trash cans to use as room dividers and to hide the real trash cans.

The only way I can keep Helenium alive is in a container.

I've successfully over wintered Pycnanthemum muticum, Heleniums, Echinaceas, Boltonia, Asclepias,  Coreopsis, Liatris, Phlox, Rudbeckia, Penstemon, Monarda, Physocarpus opulifolius, and Hydrangea arborescens cultivars.

overwintered outside in a container then planted in the spring

More often than not, plants thrive in the containers for years. Occasionally, I will transplant them into the garden to replace any plants lost over a too dry summer or too wet winter.

For long-term container planting, I use a mix of real soil (yes, real garden soil), compost and soil conditioner. When sharp drainage is essential I add expanded shale to the mix. I mulch with leaf mold or mulch, just like I would in the garden.

 I use an assortment of containers: colorful glazed pots (frost proof), terracotta, galvanized trash cans and faux terracotta (plastic). I have even planted ferns in hollow logs.

Frost-proof containers add color to my gardens all year long. Simple painted bamboo poles light up this spot when the pretty fall color have disappeared.

 Here's an idea you might try. This terracotta pot (above) lost its bottom to winter freeze/thaw, so I placed the container in the garden, added soil and planted Echinaceas. The roots have grown further into the shallow soil and appear to be quite happy.

Containers are a great choice for plants like Agastache and some Penstemons that need sharp drainage.  They used to drown over the winter, but, not anymore. To make sure the soil is fast draining, I add expanded shale to the potting soil. So far the plants are very happy.

 I've had great success growing shrubs and trees in containers. Two of my favorite H arborescens cultivars-'Emerald Lace' and 'Hayes Starburst' have thrived in pots for years. Another cultivar (seen below) was sent to me to trial. It arrived too late in the season to be planted in the garden, so it over wintered in a container. It's now been transplanted to the woodland garden and is doing fine.

overwintered outside in a container then planted in the spring

Containers don't have to be  jam packed with non-native annuals, nor do they have to make a seasonal statement! If you want to garden for wildlife and pollinators, don't let lack of space stop you! Plant your favorite wildflowers and see what happens. You just might have the prairie or woodland garden you've always wanted.

xoxogail

The Particulars:
Perennials and shrubs
Native

Zone: Middle Tennessee is Zone7a, but, when I first began gardening in containers it was 6a/b. Most of the wildflowers and annuals I plant can tolerate the occasional Zone 6a winter.  I do cover them with sheets and protective cloth if we have a late spring frost/freeze and they've broken dormancy.

Aspect: Sun, part sun, shade and full shade.

Soil: Good soil is essential. I don't like potting soil, it's too light and dries out too quickly so, I make my own container soil of real garden soil, soil conditioner (finely ground bark) and compost. The soil conditioner makes the soil aerable.

Bloom: Spring until late fall. If you plant a winter blooming native shrub or tree, you will extend the bloom time.

Size: Size and depth of containers depends on plant requirements. You can find large and extra large containers almost everywhere. Your budget and whether they can be overwintered outside will determine how large you want to go. The bigger the container, the harder it is to move indoors.

Maintenance:  The one constant is watering. I don't have to water the big pots daily unless temperatures are extreme (July and August), but as the containers get smaller they do require  a daily big gulp (15 seconds of hose watering on average for most containers, longer for shrubs and trees). The Rosemary and Bay tree spend the winter in my unheated garden shed and get watered a few times.  I don't move the wildflower containers inside. If you live in a colder hardiness zone, I recommend that you move the containers to a protected spot (garden shed or garage) or transplant the perennials into the garden.

Wildlife value: What you plant in your yard makes a difference to wildlife. I garden for wildlife so every tree, shrub and plant is chosen with wildlife in mind. Plant your favorite native perennials and shrubs. Leave them standing after they've gone to seed to continue to provide for wildlife.

Containers: Use your imagination when thinking of containers. I use colorful glazed pots (frost proof), terracotta, galvanized trash cans and faux terracotta (plastic).  I have even planted ferns in hollow logs.You might enjoy formal urns or contemporary containers.

Plant combinations: Plant a hummingbird container with Aquilegia canadensis, Monarda didyma, and Lobelia cardinalis.  Prairie planting with Panicum virgatum and Solidago and Rudbeckias. The possibilities are endless.

As a reminder to all! Never, ever, ever, ever, ever use pesticides. I mean NEVER. Also, never, ever, ever dig plants from the wild. Purchase them from reputable nurseries.

Welcome to Clay and Limestone and Wildflower Wednesday.  This day is about sharing wildflowers and other native plants no matter where one gardens~the UK, tropical Florida, Europe, Australia, Africa, South America, India or the coldest reaches of Canada. It doesn't matter if we sometimes share the same plants. How they grow and thrive in your garden is what matters most.



Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.