Growing plants in containers presents gardeners with endless opportunities to express their imagination and flair. To get the best from your plants think about the following when selecting containers: The container needs to be the right size for the plants that are being grown – large plants need large containers. A good choice is the Viburnum tinus, a small leaf evergreen that grows to about 3.5 metres. Though most of the flowering shrubs in my garden are deciduous, the silk tassel shrub, Garrya elliptica, is a … Bigger pots have more impact and plants growing in them won’t dry out as quickly, but an eclectic group of small containers creates a quirky, ever-changing scene. Place the plant in the hole at the same depth of the original plants container. Choices include a fragrant plant by the front door, a cheerful bowl of spring bulbs or an immaculate piece of topiary. "They are bulletproof," says Carolyn. Hot-pink flowers in spring and early summer are also a big attraction for hummingbirds. Show More. Available from Stokes Seeds. These coastal perennials, annuals, and shrubs will put on a showstopping display of color from spring to fall, despite sandy soils, salt spray, and strong winds. USDA Zones— 8 – 11. Rhododendrons cannot tolerate bright sunlight. Coming in an array of colours and sizes, cordylines are easy to grow and can look great. We understand you are looking for plants to match your various garden environment, so we have created the following Solutionz™ from our extensive range of garden plants to make it easy for you Viburnums. Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’ lends an airy feel to this perennial border. Place this shrub in full sun to half shade, and watch out for an attack by Japanese beetles in summer.Another shrub that performs nicely in a container is variegated red-twig dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’, Zones 2–8). Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' has perfect white pompons. The foliage later turns purplish, adding another bit of visual interest, so it’s great for container gardening and is one of the best plants for pots outdoors. Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) awakens at the tail end of winter. This particular variety of weigela prefers full sun. Every year when they open for the Taranaki Garden Spectacular, visitors make a beeline for the herbaceous paeony beds but later in the season, a trio of hydrangeas provide plentiful pickings and a sophisticated backdrop for the weddings that are held here. You could smell it 100 yards away, like vanilla and jasmine and honey all mixed together with a touch of daphne. Planting evergreen shrubs is one of the easiest ways to achieve a low maintenance garden that looks great all year round. Nostalgia also motivated Geoff to plant the orange-red flowering quince, Chaenomeles japonica 'Alarm'. There are myriad deciduous viburnums to choose from, from the wedding cake white tiers of Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii', set off by its pleated foliage, to the antique pink pompoms of 'Roseace'; baby pink 'Molly Schroeder', which maintains its colour all summer; and 'Pink Beauty', which starts out lime green and ages to soft pink. Though most of the flowering shrubs in my garden are deciduous, the silk tassel shrub, Garrya elliptica, is a notable evergreen exception. The bark develops an interesting combination of scaliness and smoothness, and summer flowers come in rich pinks, reds, and purples. Gardening Solutionz™ has a unique approach helping you to find the right plants for your garden. But he's not in business anymore," says Julian with a wry chuckle. 'Kyushu' also takes full sun without scorching and the rabbits don't touch it.". I don’t know about you, but Henry and I love using greenery outside in pots and containers. See more ideas about plants, container gardening, container plants. 1. Like the silk tassel bush, it is strung with strands of bead-like buds that open to racemes of individual greeny-lemon flowers that bees appreciate. Once you have decided which particular look or style appeals, the next question is what sort of pot or container? So to help you take advantage of the weather, and get your garden looking great for the bleak winter, here are 5 great shrubs … A low AFP indicated poor aeration and restricted drainage. AFP is the volume of mix that is filled with air at a given time. When watering fill this space slowly with water until it drains from the holes in the bottom of the container. It's hardy, copes with sandy soils, thrives in full sun or partial shade, gets to 1.5m and has deep orange flowers. Here are 25 of the best. Best Container Plant – Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) (obrazz/123rf.com) For containers, opt for the dwarf variety of this fast-growing shrub that blooms from summer to fall and is known for attracting butterflies and birds. Unlike the big blobby flowers of the common mophead hydrangea, 'Kyushu' has conical flowerheads with creamy individual florets contrasted by the fluffiness of the buds yet to open, set off by glossy foliage. ... ©2020 New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated. This shrub is available in a variety of colors, but to attract butterflies, opt for the mauve-colored species. Sunlight, shade and wind are all important factors that will influence your plant choice. Shrubberies were originally a rather romantic concept, with gravel or grass paths overhung with craggy rhododendrons and fragrant lilac bushes. "The first time I struck wintersweet was outside the old art gallery in Christchurch. Broken pots, Old troughs, cooking pots, coppers, wheelbarrows, baths, beach driftwood and pumice etc are often used. Crape myrtle is … There is a wide range available to choose from. The stems grow upward and tumble down, making both a lovely backdrop and frame for the other plants in your container. I suspect Nelson garden centres do a roaring trade in Garrya elliptica sales because the best specimen I've ever seen is in the garden at Eyebright Country Store in Appleby. Abutilons (Chinese lanterns) flower in winter and come in range of fabulous colours. Viburnums cope with sun, partial shade, clay soil and dry summers. All containers must have good drainage; pots and tubs should have one or several drainage holes 1-2cm in diameter. In a vase, the stems have a minimalist chic. The intensity of the scent is incredible; a single sprig is as richly perfumed as a vase of Oriental lilies. I have done a number of trials and found that the structure of the potting mix is more significant to plant growth than the amount of fertiliser (although this is also important) that is in the potting mix. Hardy, handsome and well behaved: what more could you ask of a fella? Best pot fertiliser Triabon. Praecox means "early to flower" and wintersweet is both a fragrant delight and a frustration for Geoff Genge at Marshwood Gardens in Invercargill. Plants in pots add a variety of visual interest to the outside of your home. I also grow 'Annabelle' and 'Kyushu' at the back of my white garden, along with a fluffy fothergilla and fragrant philadelphus. Kalmia latifolia 'Elf', or calico bush, has exquisite tiny - but deadly - flowers. "A nurseryman once told me that abutilons were boring shrubs that only grandmothers want to grow. New spring growth is flushed red, creating interest early in the year. But since moving to the country, I've come to realise that you can't have a large garden without shrubs. You can in fact grow almost any plant in a container, so whether you would like to brighten up your patio, or grow an edible feast, it's simply a matter of choosing suitable plants for the particular conditions. It's absolutely beautiful and attracts tui night and morning.". Stachyurus praecox looks great in a vase. * These uncool trees deserve a comeback * 10 terrific tulips for New Zealand gardens * Vote now for 2016 GARDENA Gardener of the Year. Container plants add texture and colour to patios and other outdoor areas, especially where space is limited. We have used them in places like between our garage doors, beside our pool, and next to our front and back doors. If providing drainage holes presents a problem you can use plastic pots inside, raised up on a small amount of gravel or chip stone and keep a check that they don't get waterlogged. Situation and soilTo grow plants successfully in containers you must select the right plant for your situation. They can create a striking focal point at times of the year when there is not much colour in the garden. Striking!. 'Limelight' has similarly pointy blooms but its individual florets are smaller and a zesty bright green – over the course of the season, they fade to splotchy pink – while 'Annabelle' has perfect pompoms of pure white. For the past eight years, John Wilmshurst and Diana Montgomery have been developing their classy riverside garden, Waiongana. We often consider the amount of sun that a plant receives, to get good results the plant needs to have a good potting mix to grow in. These two have stood out head and shoulders above all others. Good drainage and frequent watering causes a loss of plant nutrient. Ordinary garden soil is unsuitable for pots because it does not drain well and can set hard. Includes shrubs that flower as early as April or as late as September. Flowering shrubs are the backbone of any garden, offering privacy along a border, attracting pollinators, and providing color and interest for years. Whether you need a compact hedge, low fillers or an accent plant for pride of place, there’s no shortage of compact evergreen shrubs to accommodate today’s smaller gardens. "Many plants thrive in containers. Liquid fertiliser such as 'ICan Fast Food' are suitable for regular liquid feeds. Both have double flowers on the tips of their stems, with the former opening flat with a jagged fringe and the latter looking cupped. The ornamental quince (Chaenomeles japonica) is a favourite with birds and bees alike. These don't actually have petals, just masses of prominent white stamens. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a shrub as "a woody plant which is smaller than a tree and has several main stems arising at or near the ground", which fits with my idea that shrubs are really just short, fat bushes that fill the gaps, keep weeds down and enable a sense of enclosure and intimacy within a wider landscape. Its late spring flowers have a citrus-blossom scent and white petals of such purity that plant breeders bestow their cultivars with names like 'Innocence', 'Virginal' and 'Frosty Morn'. 10 terrific tulips for New Zealand gardens, Vote now for 2016 GARDENA Gardener of the Year, House of horrors: Allegations of child abuse, bodies-in-basement at arson-hit home, NZ Covid-19 triumph turns tragedy after wealth grab, says equality commissioner, Merry Christmas - Lotto player wins $18m in Boxing Day draw, CEO salaries: Who took a Covid cut, and who got a pay rise anyway, Quiz: Morning trivia quiz: December 27, 2020, Oranga Tamariki is leaving kids in meth homes to be abused, says former MSD boss Christine Rankin, Donald Trump's impact on US federal courts will be felt for decades to come, America's Cup: Team New Zealand riddle - what we know and what we don't know, Sir Roger Douglas' great experiment is finally coming to an end, Wattle Downs assault: Victim is Punjabi talkback radio host Harnek Singh. Viburnums have been popular in New Zealand for decades as a screening plant. Black bowls Esteras pots. Looking after: plants in pots. But which ones? It wouldn't last a frosty winter at Pepper Tree Garden and Nursery in the Kauaeranga Valley, near Thames, where John and Trish Uffindell grow all manner of intriguing plants. I've been guilty of reverse shrubbery snobbery myself in the past. Hydrangeas for pots Bridal Bouquet. Pretty isn't a word I'd use to describe this novel shrub; its look is more haunted house, with peculiar strands of silvery catkins from late winter. Trish has a tip for budding shrub hunters: make friends with a floral artist, for often they're still growing many of the once-fashionable foliage plants no longer deemed desirable. Nov 19, 2020 - Not every garden container needs a fancy combination of plants--make one variety the center of attention! An evergreen as the centerpiece of a container garden is elegant, classic, and low maintenance. The solution is to pick wind tolerant plants in the first place. "Even here it gets nipped back in winter.". Sun loving plants such as vegetables require at least 4-5 hours sunshine each day so check the site before selecting your plants. Container gardening is a super-easy way to dress up your front porch, add a splash of color to shady areas, or cope with poor soil in your yard. A good option is 'Emerald Green' arborvitae, a semi-dwarf cultivar that grows in a narrow pyramid shape to around 7 to 15 feet tall. It's worth noting that Garrya elliptica is dioecious, meaning that it flowers on separate male and female plants. They can be used to soften and beautify outdoor living areas and entrance ways or create a focal point in the garden. Palmers’ handy tip: Plants grow slower in the shade so start with larger plants for quicker results. Both of these shrubs are good fillers in the middle of a wide border or shrubbery. Far classier than a potted poinsettia. Another important factor when growing rhododendrons in containers is sunlight. What to grow Visit our 'Plants for Auckland' database for the best plants Because they're so tough, these plants also would be good choices for just about any yard, whether your view is a beach, prairie, or mountaintop. And choose the shrubs that look interesting and give body to the mid part of a border. Diana jokingly describes Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu', Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' and Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' as her "three tenors", as all are gutsy and gorgeous. 14. Choose one that will hold its shape nicely without a lot of pruning. Stobilanthes gossypinus is a stunning foliage plant that prefers frost-free climates. Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): Plant full-size varieties in large containers to grow as single-trunk or multitrunk trees, 8 or 10 feet tall. One such beauty is the acid-loving calico bush, Kalmia latifolia. Vary the color and texture of the containers, and create a setting of three on a corner of the deck. Remove the plant from its container and run a sharp knife down the root ball in several places to encourage new roots. Its ball-shaped blooms are intensely fragrant and the mix of hot pink buds and soft white flowers is absolutely charming. All containers must … Lynda Hallinan grows Fothergilla major at the back of her white garden alongside hydrangeas. It's so striking in late August and early September that Eyebright's owner, Peter Owen, says customers are forever asking him to write its name down. They are the meat in the sandwich, the cream in the Victoria sponge cake, the essential middle tier between groundcovers and trees. Back to deciduous bushes: if ever there was a shrub in dire need of a consumer-friendly common name, it must be Stachyurus praecox. "It's a very sturdy, robust, upright shrub, growing up to 2m tall so it's amazing when you need to make a floral installation big enough to fill up a marquee. You might know some plants and some may surprise you, but one thing is sure– You’ll like to have some of these shrubs right away in your container garden. Evergreen or deciduous shrubs are also suitable. Slow acting fertilisers such as Novatec, Osmocote or Ican Slow Food provide nutrients over a long period. Very Berry offers glossy, dark leaves—the perfect backdrop for small, white, bell-shaped flowers in summer and bright-red, aromatic berries in early fall. The obvious candidates? We seriously have nearly twenty plants just in pots outside our home. These miniature woodlands bridged the aesthetic divide between the manicured borders and neat lawns around a house, and the pastures and forests beyond. Check out 44 Best Shrubs for Containers. Indeed, the hardest part of growing abutilons is finding the older, taller forms, but luckily they strike easily from summer cuttings. This way you can give plants a suitable microclimate to display and show them off when they are at their best. It's an elegant addition to any garden where it does well in groupings or masses, in shrub borders, as a specimen, screen or hedge. Frame Ivy low maintenance. For a flowering evergreen hedge, there's Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' (unless you live in the north, where it gets hammered by thrips) and while Viburnum x burkwoodii is sometimes described as "lax", who cares if it gets a bit scrubby? Some great pots I have seen recently has been where three or more plants have been planted together in the same pot with each plant bringing height, texture or colour that contrasts and compliments the others. "Mine is in full flower in early September and because I'm forever trimming the sides to train it as a climber, it has never been without flower. Compact and deciduous (they put on a subtle show of autumn colour), fothergillas prefer acidic soil and sport unusual scented bottlebrush flowers. Cistus . Annual pruning is required as they flower on new wood, and will grow straggly if not cut back. If you have limited space for big trees, try growing plants in containers, e.g. Garden design consultations. Crab apple The graceful form and versatility of crab apple trees (Malus species) make them ideal for small urban gardens where plants need to be multi-taskers.Crab apples are right on the money with their pretty flowers in spring, lovely green foliage in summer, followed by colourful fruit that the birds adore and golden leaves in autumn. The big advantage is that they don’t need to be mowed, so forget that vision of yourself chasing the mower downhill. You can also add miniature furniture and fairies to these gardens too. When potting, the final soil level should be a little way below the rim of the container. Too much fertiliser can have a burning effect on plants especially if the potting mix dries out. Some shrubs like kakabeak can even be shaped to fit in with your garden design - but make sure you allow them to flower so the birds benefit. Wairere Nursery 826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: Helichrysum is grown for its small, felt-like leaves. Always use fertilisers following the manufacturer's instructions on the label. Philadelphus, also known as mock orange, is taller and nondescript when not in bloom. Pick wind tolerant plants that are the best for high rise balconies to begin with. Abelia Sunshine Daydream This easy to grow shrub has glossy, fresh green leaves with a creamy yellow edge. Regular small amounts of fertiliser are needed to keep plants growing strongly. There are many different types of cordylines, includes colourful clump forming varieties such as Electric Pink and Electric Flash, along with larger plants such as Cordyline Australis (NZ Cabbage Tree). "When I was a kid in Whangarei, we called them icing plants," says Trish, for the pink and white flowers look like a cake decorator's exquisitely piped icing. Hundreds of plants are potentially suitable as ground covers for slopes, depending on the site and your region. Tubular white flowers with a sweet smell are produced through the summer, much to the delight of bees. Topiary for pots: Corokia & Buxus. When he was a lad at school in western Southland, he'd walk past the police station at Nightcaps and admire the apricot chaenomeles climbing over the front of the local copper's house. Which shrub would you like to see making a comeback? 'Frosty Morn' and 'Virginal' are my favourites. Just don't be tempted to nibble on it; kalmias are so toxic to stock that their common name is "lamb kill". Take your cue from the style of the house and garden – red brick buildings are enhanced by terracotta containers, while a modern plot is the best backdrop for galvanised metal pots. It is great for people who live in townhouses, flats or home units. You may need to do a little research but why fight mother nature? I'd never heard of it before but coveted it instantly, immediately ordering my own plant from Woodleigh Nursery in Taranaki. Roses also grow well in containers, especially floribunda and miniature types. The best potting mixes will hold their structure for a long time providing a high level of what's known as AFP, 'Air Filled Porosity'. Viburnum plicatum ‘Pink Beauty’ looks perfectly at home amid perennials. A general rule is you get what you pay for, a cheaper potting mix will often have a poor structure that breaks down or degenerates quickly. These gorgeous plants shine all season long in containers. Feb 13, 2017 Ball Horticultural. Gareth Carter is general manager of Springvale Garden Centre, Easy Earth to collect food waste from customers, Best of 2020: Whanganui Ford Anglia cleans up in national competition, Jackson's Rēwena Bread on the rise in Whanganui East, Local Focus: St Paul's Pūtiki looking for helpers, Dad told the cancerous lump on cheek was a tooth abscess. titoki, broadleaf and cabbage tree. Discover 14 flowering shrubs that will bring season long color to your garden. Stachyurus praecox looks great in a vase. Pollinator-Friendly Shrubs Deep-purple wavy leaves on a wide-spreading shrub make 'Spilled Wine' weigela a dramatic addition to a container vignette. A fun activity particularly good with children is to use a broken pot to create a miniature garden with different levels. Prune abutilons back if they get leggy or afflicted with borer, Julian advises, but if they're looking good, leave them alone. 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