CONTAINERS TO THE RESCUE
June 1 is the ‘it’ day for gardeners as it is the day one can safely start — or finish — the summer beds and containers because all danger of frost has passed (or so we hope!).
As more and more people downsize yards or move into townhouses and highrises, container gardening is the way to go. Betty Segantin, founder and proprietor of One Yard at a Time (www.oneyardatatime.ca), knows well the tried and true tricks of container gardening. That she is also from France — and an artist as well — ups her “pot cred” considerably, in my opinion.
“Each pot I do is different,” says Segantin, who has been beautifying myriad clients’ containers for 12 years. “I pre-order my plants from B.C. early in the year so I can offer all kinds of different plant material other than what is available locally” she says.
She also gives high marks to the Proven Winners series, which are available at most garden centres.
Her No. 1 tip is to use proper soil amended with perlite. You can buy the pre-mixed soil pretty much anywhere. Addition of a slow release organic fertilizer pays huge dividends. Drainage holes in whatever type of container one chooses to use should go without saying. If it holds soil, it can be planted. And proper watering is right up there with proper soil.
“Water early in the morning and make sure to water the roots, not the foliage” advises Segantin. Other bon mots? Water well. Hot days could see you watering daily or even twice a day if you have small pots.
Choosing the right plant for the right location is often overlooked. A plant that thrives in full shade should obviously not be planted in full sun and vice versa. Make sure not to plant too deeply; plants are put into the pots at the same level as they are in the soil when you buy them. If you shove the plants in too deep, it not only looks strange but it will take a lot longer for the containers to fill in.
Wind can create havoc on containers, so if the area is prone to strong winds (such as on a highrise balcony) you’re probably best to plant low-growing plants. Containers under eaves will not get rain, so be prepared to get out the watering can frequently.
Foliage is another element Segantin espouses. A chartreuse potato vine or purple/black Japanese grass are perfect “always there” choices as flowering plants bloom and fade. With the plethora of grasses available, dracaena is so yesterday. The focal point — the thriller — doesn’t have to be a flowering plant. Remember that balance is critical in that the thriller should not be more than twice as tall as the filler — the plants around the thriller. And a pot just wouldn’t be complete without the ever graceful spiller — trailing plants.
With the dizzying array of annuals — and perennials — on the market, the choice of what to buy can be daunting. Here are a few of Segantin’s suggestions: Heather Firefly; English Lavender Platinum Blonde; Bougainvillea Vera Deep Purple; Verbena Meteor Shower; Bluebeard Worcester Gold; Rabbit Tail Grass; Corkscrew Rush; Sedum Lemon Ball; Diascia; Lotus Vine; Gaura; Bidens Campfire; Argyranthemum; Fan Flower (Scaevola); and Osteopermum.
Choosing the right plant for the right location is often overlooked. A plant that thrives in full shade should obviously not be planted in full sun and vice versa. Advice from Betty Segantin, founder and proprietor of One Yard at a Time.