In my small urban yard, I find it easier to plant in large pots. Can you suggest seasonal color or multi-season interest that will add diversity to my containers or small space?
Great time to think about gardening in a container or elevating your small space. Intentional gardening, as well adding fun, is possible when utilizing a small space or pot. Always think of odd numbers. This applies to planting in containers as well as in-ground plantings. One evergreen or small tree with seasonal interest such as variegated foliage, sculptural branching, or interesting bark can be considered as the thriller, anchoring the space. Using shallow rooted plants as a living mulch, decreases the chance of root damage. Otherwise using a simple mulch will keep the root zone protected during times of drought and excessive winter chill. Shallow rooted plants for shady areas include Tiarella, Myosotis, hardy geraniums, hardy begonias, some ferns, or epimedium. For sunny spots consider verbena’s, creeping phlox, or low growing creeping herbs such as thyme or oregano, as well as sedums. Allowing creeping plants to drape over the tops of pots or spread add unexpected interest.
Of course you need a filler. Think outside the box. Try some of the newer small shrubs and plants, bred specifically for containers. Did you know that Blueberry bushes have gorgeous spring blooms, seasonal fruits, and excellent fall color? Plants that attract pollinators offer an eye level view of what happens when you invite life into the garden by planting with a purpose. Sun tolerant plants such as globe amaranth provide all summer color, as do lantana, salvias and zinnias. For shade consider an assortment of miniature hosta, bold, taller Ferns, heuchera, and woodland Pphlox. For a unique, edible twist, consider a pot of miniature container tomatoes, Swiss chard and cosmos. You can sprinkle the cosmos blooms in a cocktail or include in a salad.
Finally for the spiller, create an edible salad bowl that is within reach? Add nasturtiums or other edible herbs for a relatively drought tolerant pot or ground cover. Pinching off a bit of oregano, steaming the leaves of the sweet potato vine, harvesting strawberries or mint, can be quite a delicious experience. Other non-edible spillers are Hakone grass, petunias, calibrachoa, Iberis sempervins, sweet alyssum, artemisia, or delosperma.
Make certain the growing, lighting, watering, and feeding conditions are the same or similar for ease of maintenance. Plant in odd numbers adding depth, a naturalistic look, and adds impact.
Speight, Cottage in the Court
Can you offer advice on how to use old potting soil?
Potting soil can be reused and revived for a few seasons. Remove half to one third of the potting soil from your container. Fluff the remaining potting medium and add a good quality compost or fresh potting soil. Mix in additional soil amendments thereby reviving the depleted potting medium. To recycle old potting soil, consider creating a pot or a spot filled with plants that prefer lean soils such as cacti, succulents, yarrow, or various ornamental grasses. Any potting soil that has been removed can be composted, sprinkled onto garden beds or disposed of. Discard any potting soil if the prior year’s plants were diseased.
Want to learn more about gardening or spend time with people who like plants? The next Capitol Hill Garden Club meeting is on Tuesday, April 14th at 6:30pm at the Northeast Library, 330 7th St NE and is open to all. Visit capitolhillgardenclub.org for more information. Want gardening advice, information and commentary from the Capitol Hill Garden Club? Send your questions to capitolhillgardenclub@gmail.com.
