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.

"How many plants do you have in your garden?"

Asked Mr I.

 I paused, wondering if it was a trick question, then replied, "It looks like a lot of plants and I suppose there are, but, really, what you are seeing is a lot of the same dozen or so plants."

"Seriously?" he said with just a hint of disbelief.

"Well, maybe!" I said coyly.

Asclepias tuberosa, Echinace pallida 'Hula Dancer' and Oenothera fruticosa

How many plants do I have in my garden? I haven't a clue! Somewhere in my office are several baskets of plant tags of the many plants I've planted in the 28 years I've been gardening here~some have thrived and others have lasted just a season or two~ and I am happy to say that there are more successes than failures.

Rudbeckia hirta, R fulgida and Abelia 'Kalaidascope'

What I can tell you is that my garden is jam packed. It's grown exponentially since we built the front porch in 2003 and moved a small wildflower and day lily garden to the sunny strip along the drive.

Echinacea, Eupatorium, Bottlebrush grass and  Hemerocallis 'Hyperion'

Although, the Susan's Bed (as that sunny strip is called) is a modest size, it's much larger in my imagination and of course I buy way more wildflowers than space to plant them. I end up having to pry them into any bit of available soil.  You could say that the garden has grown larger plant by plant. 

'Little Devil' Ninebark, Asclepias tuberosa, Rudbeckia foliage, 'Ascot Rainbow' Eupatorium and 'Fireworks' Gomphrena

Right now, it's nearly impossible to do any pinching back of the late season ex-asters or to dead head any of the spent day lilies and other plants without stomping on a treasured flower or three. Many a Susan has given its life to keep the garden looking a little tamer and less like clown pants.

Gaura, Lavender and Echinacea

Maybe, it is time to survey the garden to see how many plant families are represented and get a flower head count of the various species and cultivars...I am pretty sure there are more than a "few dozen of the same plants".

Silphium perfoliatum, Hemerocallis, Liatris, Thermopsis villosa, Hibiscus 'Kopper King', Shasta Daisy, Eupatorium dubium, Ratibida pinnata, Rudbeckia maxima and Elymus hystrix

One thing is for sure,  I won't be sharing my findings with Mr I! The other day when I was heading out to a nursery with a friend, he actually said, "Why are you going to the nursery, you have plenty of plants!"

As if that were even possible.

xoxogail

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.

A Wheelbarrow Full of Garden Fun

What this garden needed was more blooming plants.

The intense heat of the last month has burned out the bloom of many of the plants that I count on to keep my garden looking good all summer and to provide nectar and pollen for my resident bees and butterflies.

The phloxes are looking ragged, the agastache and gaura have been deadheaded and the Susans haven't come into bloom quite yet. It's also brought some of the  usually late blooming wildflowers like Joe-Pye weed, ex-asters and Ironweed into early bloom and they may not be with us for long if this drought continues.

So, I've bought dozens of echinaceas.

You heard me right!  In the middle of a drought, with temperatures over 100F, I've bought dozens of plants.

No, I'm not worried that they will die. I've planted them in my largest containers, in fantastic soil and they are already settling in.

In fact, the pollinators were plenty ready for new food sources; the plants weren't even out of the back of my Subaru before the skippers and a pretty Vanessa virginiensis showed up to nectar.

Soon after the Bumbles and and the small sweat bees arrived.

I couldn't be happier that it's working out so well, even if I've had to plant some of them in my wheelbarrow!

xoxogail

PS  The plants are a mixture of Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' and  E purpurea  'Ruby Star' (Rubinstern) and will all be planted in the garden once the rains return this fall! 

 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.