Limited gardening space? Try containers
If you live in an apartment or condominium with limited space for plantings, container gardening is a good option. Here are plants, timing and ideas to consider.
A few general recommendations: The larger the container that can be fitted into the space, the easier it is to successfully grow a plant.
The container and soil should be well drained, recognized by the water running out the drainage holes. It is essential to fertilize the plants with Osmocote or a soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro. Follow the label instructions and keep to the schedule.
A key factor in growing success is the amount of sunlight available. Plants will grow in the shade, but not all of them will survive.
The amount of sun available is determined by the sunlight that reaches the foliage of the plant in the container, not the sun you can see in the sky or the sunlight that hits the shade tree above the patio.
Full sun in summer
Zinnia: If your container will receive full sun in the summer, consider planting zinnia transplants or seeds about March 15. Large but disciplined varieties such as Dream Land grow to 18 inches with showy compact flowers that do well in elongated containers that hold 3 gallons of soil for each plant. Dream Land zinnias work well for cutting flowers and provide nectar for pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies over the summer. In a smaller container or hanging basket (1 gallon per plant) use the Profusion selection. They tolerate very hot sites, are covered with blooms and also attract pollinators.
Vinca: Vinca has smaller blooms and are more droughttolerant than zinnias. They adjust to whatever size container you provide but do best when it includes at least 1 gallon of soil per plant. Let them dry out between waterings. Vincas and zinnias usually last until Thanksgiving.
Shade in the summer
Begonias: Begonia semperfloren is a transplant to use in a container in the shade in the summer. They grow about 1 foot tall and have very lush-looking foliage and blooms. Despite the lush look, they are relatively drought-tolerant and can be grown in small containers. Begonias tolerate cool weather. In fact, many of the plants frozen back this winter are now resprouting. The Whopper begonia is the larger version of the semperfloren begonia. It grows to 3 feet tall and is spectacular with the large blooms and foliage. Grow Whoppers in containers that are at least 2 gallons.
Penta: Penta is about the same size as Whopper begonia but is more disciplined, with bloom colors and flower shapes like vinca. It is not as shadetolerant or drought-resistant as begonias. Grow them in containers with at least 1 gallon of soil per plant.
Sun in the winter
Pansies: Pansies are one of the most cold-tolerant flowers for winter in the sun. Individual plants can be grown in small containers amassed in larger
containers. Plant them in November and expect them to last until Christmas.
Stocks: If you want more than attractive blooms in your containers in full sun in the winter, consider stocks. The flowers are produced in purple, pink, red, white and yellow, and they also bring a pleasant fragrance to the patio.
Shade in the winter
Cyclamen: This is one of the showiest flowers available for use in containers on the patio. The foliage is waxy with attractive patterns, and the blooms are intensely colored in red, purple, pink and white. Place the transplants in patches of individual containers in November to bloom into April. Their growth pattern and size resemble pansies. Protect cyclamen from temperatures below 30 degrees with a fabric cover.
Primula: It is a real debate to determine which winter shade plant, cyclamen or primula is the most beautiful. Both have textured leaves and spectacular flowers. The wide variety of colors reminds me of the those we used to see at the circus in show paint. Protect primula from slugs and snails with a slug and snail bait.