Hot to pot
Discover the amazing versatility of pots and planters and see how they can enhance any outdoor area – big or small
Dishing the dirt on container gardening
The average size of a section has shrunk by about a third over the past 30 years, signalling the end of the Kiwi quarter-acre dream. But having only a small patch, balcony or terrace is no barrier to growing and enjoying an array of beautiful plants. Eye-catching containers will transform the smallest space when filled with colourful flowers, sun-loving succulents and grasses, or delicious herbs and edibles.
POPULAR PLANTS FOR POTS
Almost any type of plant can be grown in a pot, and there are so many different effects you can achieve. Select plants based on the environment they’ll be in – are they intended for a hot, sunny courtyard, a shady patio, or a windy roof garden or balcony? Check out our guide (above right) for a few suggestions.
Plants in pots require attention, too. They can dry out quickly and leach nutrients. So before you pot up your plants, here are some tips for keeping them in tip-top shape.
CONTAINER CARE
Plants in containers can’t search for their own food and water so they require more care than in-ground gardens. But with regular attention, they will flourish.
DRAINAGE
First, make sure your pot has holes in the base for drainage. This will prevent the roots from sitting in water. Place broken crockery, pebbles or gravel at the bottom of the pot to help water drain freely and stop the holes getting blocked up. In winter use pot feet for additional drainage, and in summer place a saucer under the pot to help retain water.
SOIL
Use a quality commercial container mix instead of garden soil to fill your pot. In a contained space, the right soil is essential. Plants require a balanced blend of minerals, nutrients and slowrelease fertilisers to help keep them healthy and happy. Leave a gap of 3-5cm between the top of the soil and the rim to prevent dirt spilling over when you water.
WATERING
Once your plant is in its pot, water it gently using a soft-spray nozzle on your hose. Continue until water starts to trickle out of the bottom of the pot. Plants dry out a lot quicker in pots, so check them regularly and add a layer of mulch on top to help retain moisture in the soil. Even in winter, pots and tubs may need watering once a week, depending on their requirements. Irrigation can be installed and automated to avoid the worry of watering if you go away on holiday.
FEEDING
An essential part of keeping your plants healthy is to feed them regularly, especially during the growing season. Give them a top dressing of dry, slow-release fertiliser or apply a liquid blood-and-bone or fish/seaweed tonic, which you mix with water.
GROOMING
Keep your plants looking good. Trim and remove tired-looking or broken leaves. Deadhead spent flowers promptly. Keep an eye out for signs of pests and diseases as these are easier to control if caught early.
Plant roots eventually fill containers and this often limits growth. If this happens, the plant may need to be moved to a bigger container. However, many palms, shrubs and trees can stay in a pot for years, especially if well looked after.
POT PLACEMENT
There are no hard and fast rules about how to arrange your pots. However, using the right container in the right place can instantly freshen up any outdoor area.
1 Use a pot on its own if it has enough wow factor, or fill it with plants to create a showy focal point – eg a big, dramatic frangipani with small succulents around its base, or a colourful patio bougainvillea for a splash of colour.
2 Soften a blank wall or an awkward corner with something stylish and eye-catching – a beautiful weeping Japanese maple underplanted with dwarf green mondo grass, for instance, or a clumping golden cane palm for a tropical look.
3 Use pots to create formality and symmetry in the garden. For example, place pots on either side of your front door or in rows to line a path or patio area. Stick to one shape and style for consistency.
4 A relaxed, informal feel can be created by grouping various sizes and shapes of pot together. Use an odd number for balance. Choose plants with contrasting colours and textures for year-round interest.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTER
Pots come in many shapes and sizes, in materials such as ceramic, terracotta, aluminium, fibreglass, stone, concrete and plastic. Plants can be planted into any number of containers – you are only limited by your imagination and the space you have to work with. The portability of your pots will determine how easy it is to rearrange and redesign your container garden throughout the year.
Before buying pots, consider the architecture of your home and the style of garden you have, and use this as a guide. For a contemporary look, you could choose a planter with a simple geometric shape in Corten steel, fibreglass or concrete. Select a plant with interesting foliage such as a Japanese sago palm for a striking display or a golden cane palm for a modern vibe.
For a classic, formal style, try terracotta pots with clipped mounds of Buxus sempervirens or a standard bay tree. New Zealand natives such as astelias and flax will work well in concrete or ceramic pots for a relaxed, easycare vibe. Repurposing containers such as wooden wine barrels or vintage watering cans will also add a quirky touch. Just fill them with colourful annuals or fragrant herbs. •
Planters look best when you combine plants with different growing habits:
THRILLERS are taller plants with a strong upright form. They are the visual centrepiece – something bold such as phormiums, hibiscus, cordylines or dracaena. FILLERS create the middle level – plants such as grasses, petunias and begonias. SPILLERS are smaller, cascading plants that soften the pot edge, such as Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, bacopa or lobelia.