Gardeners frequently toss, multiply, or locate a home in the ground for their outdoor potted plants as the weather turns chilly in the fall. It’s unfortunate since a lot of this is a waste of time and resources. Many shrubs and perennials can survive for a number of years in containers. Utilizing this quality will allow you to spend less time and money maintaining your pots. Depending on the plants you select, your containers might give you interest throughout the entire year, and you could give your designs coherence.
Life in a container vs one in the ground is very different for plants. Although containers might offer good drainage, you are the only source of water and nutrients for the plants. Although this varies depending on the plant, temperature, and container, shrubs and larger perennials frequently stay smaller in a pot. Additionally, containers don’t protect a plant’s roots from the cold.
The plant should be hardy to two zones colder than your USDA Hardiness Zone in order for it to survive the winter in a container. However, I have successfully overwintered plants that shouldn’t have survived and I have failed with ones that should have in my Maryland garden, which barely meets the requirements for Zone 7. I’ve discovered a wide variety of plants that can survive year after year in a container through trial and error. I’ve chosen the top 10 because they are not only resilient enough to live, but also stylish while doing so.
‘Golden Sword’ yucca combines with almost anything
Seasons in one pot. The main plants in this container are bergenia and yucca, which shine in the summer and fall. Stems from yellow and redtwig dogwoods add to the yucca’s brilliant display in winter after the bergenia has died back. Pansies and lamium take center stage in the spring, before the yucca and bergenia have recovered their former forms.
‘Golden Sword’ yucca (Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’, Zones 411) is a fantastic plant since it pairs well with so many others. Its 2-inch-wide, sword-like leaves feature curling fibers along the edges, thin, dark green margins, and golden yellow centers. It spreads equally and develops 2 to 3 feet high with a spiky, architectural shape.
Although it may tolerate little shade, this yucca prefers dry, sunny environments. On 3- to 6-foot-tall stems, creamy white, fragrant flowers appear in the summertime in the heart of the shrub. The leaves may appear a little flat in the late winter, but it will reappear in the spring. To keep the area looking neat, remove the outdated foliage.
‘Green Mountain’ boxwood keeps its color all year
Even though it’s challenging, living in a container will keep it smaller than its typical dimensions of 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Place “Green Mountain” in a partially shaded area, away from strong winds. If at all feasible, rotate the pot from time to time to balance the plant’s exposure to light and prevent the growth of bare sides. Boxwood known as “Green Mountain” (Buxus “Green Mountain,” Zones 49) is a slow-growing shrub that, in contrast to many other boxwoods, keeps its dark green color all winter long. This variety in particular is one of my favorites since it develops into a lovely pyramid as opposed to a meatball-shaped shrub.
Golden creeping Jenny is perfect for the edge of the pot
In a container, the golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, Zones 48) consistently delivers. This plant, which stands 4 inches tall, gracefully hangs over a pot’s rim. The golden, coin-shaped leaves of this plant complement anything. It prefers some shade but adores water, and will even flourish in a water garden. It can also tolerate direct sunlight, but you must maintain wet soil.
Japanese pieris has colorful new growth
This shrub (Pieris japonica and cvs., Zones 68) is deer-resistant and a great choice for pots. Although Japanese pieris’ evergreen foliage is interesting year-round, the spring growth is particularly beautiful, with hues ranging from rich crimson to creamy white, depending on the cultivar.
The flower buds are often dark red in winter, with some opening to pink hues. Early in the spring, delicate racemes of white, urn-shaped blooms, measuring 3 to 6 inches long, begin to develop. This shrub’s beautiful branches fall gracefully over the sides of containers.
Because compact varieties like “Dorothy Wyckoff” grow compactly, smaller plants are not usually required for a visually appealing container display. Japanese pieris may grow in either full sun or whole shade. Keep it out of the harsh winds and sun of winter.
‘Emerald’ arborvitae works where you need some height
It is simple to blend with other plants due to the form and texture of its foliage. It will be kept significantly below its native size, which is 15 feet high and 4 feet broad, by a container. Put it in either full sun or moderate shade. Because it keeps its vibrant green color throughout the winter, emerald arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald’, syn. ‘Smaragd’, Zones 27) offers outstanding year-round interest. This cultivar of our native arborvitae has an upright, slender habit that works well as the vertical accent that many pots require.
Bergenia has bold leaves that shine in containers
Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia and cvs., Zones 38) is one of my favorite plants since it is a vigorous grower and adds a striking element to a container design with its green, glossy, oval leaves. The leaves are between 10 and 20 inches long and 6 to 8 inches wide. In the fall, they turn a stunning shade of crimson. On 12- to 15-inch-long stalks, bergenia blooms in the early spring; the pink blossoms resemble hyacinths.
Because of the great drainage, the plant actually grows better in my containers than in my beds. Grow it either in full sun or very light shade.
Tips for overwintering plants in containers
Pick a container that won’t freeze. Pick a pot made of stone, heavy plastic, fiberglass, lead, or iron that has a drainage hole in the bottom. In cold weather, most terra-cotta would shatter, but I’ve had success with glazed pottery.
Utilize quality potting soil. There are mixtures available that are developed expressly for use in containers and offer the vital drainage that potted plants require.
In the fall, stop feeding. If you fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer, you should stop feeding your plants six to eight weeks before the first date of your first frost. This will stop any delicate new growth that wouldn’t make it through the winter. When the plants start growing again in the spring, start fertilizing once more.
Winter with water. Until the soil in the container is frozen, add water as needed. Because the plants in frozen pots are unable to absorb the water, avoid watering them.
Put some antidesiccant on. Use Wilt-Pruf on broadleaf evergreens and conifers to shield them from winter wind damage.
Every few years, repotte. Repot your plants every three years to be safe, even though some plants will live longer in a container.
Variegated redtwig dogwood is big and beautiful
A mass of variegated Solomon’s seal around the base of the container hides it for the most of the year. The shrub’s variegated leaves make a lovely contrast to the hydrangeas planted in the ground on each side of it. Old branches should be cut off in the early spring as the dogwood’s brightest color shows on young stems. Place this shrub in full sun to partial shade, and keep an eye out for Japanese beetle attacks in the summer. Variegated redtwig dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’, Zones 28) is another plant that thrives in containers. Its vivid red stems show in winter, especially if there is an evergreen background, and its leaves have white borders and grayish green cores. For three years, a single “Elegantissima” plant in a blue porcelain container 24 inches wide has served as the main point of one of our borders.
Heucheras provide small spots of interest
Heucheras are appealing, low-growing perennials that excel at adding interest below the taller plants in a container (Heuchera spp. and cvs., Zones 38). Their magnificent lobed foliage, which frequently has silver veins running through its green or purple leaves. Due to its preference for well-drained soil and ease of winter recovery, heucheras are particularly well-suited for containers. Most heucheras produce flower panicles with white, pink, or crimson blooms and grow into a 12- to 18-inch-diameter mounds. Depending on the cultivar, they will grow in either full sun or full shade.
‘Blue Star’ juniper has a useful color
The juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’, which grows slowly and is hardy to Zone 49, has closely organized, 1/4-inch-long steel blue needles. The plant stands out in the winter because of this color. It is slow to grow and only grows to a height of 3 feet with a spread of 3 to 4 feet. Because it goes well with most colors and the branches gracefully arch over a pot’s lip, it performs well in containers. Although it will tolerate little shade, it likes full sun. It dislikes humid environments.
‘Fuldaglut’ sedum is a small plant that makes a big splash
Sedum spurium ‘Fuldaglut,’ found in Zones 49, is distinguished by its bronze-red leaves that turn scarlet in the winter. Larger leaves than those of other species make up the finely scalloped foliage, which in the late summer is covered in cerise blossoms that can last up to three weeks. This sedum, which is only 6 inches tall and 12 inches broad, can be used to adorn the edge of a pot and even makes decent cut flowers for little bouquets. Though it will still thrive in some shade, it prefers full light.
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Which plant grows best outside?
For All Gardening Levels, the 21 Best Patio Plants
- Croton. jaboticaba / Getty Images, image 1 of 21.
- Pentas, number 2 of 21 Getty Images and LagunaticPhoto .
- Lantana, image three of twenty-one.
- .
- 04 of 21. sakhorn38 coleus / Getty Images .
- 21th from top: Bromeliad
- Caladium, number 6 of 21
- New Guinea impatiens, position 7 of 21
- Heliotrope, position 8 of 21
Where can I find affordable garden plants?
The best value for the money may be found in perennials, which can offer you a mature-looking garden in just two or three years. Perennials also develop quickly.
Purchasing several smaller, less expensive plants as opposed to one larger one is frequently more cost-effective. Even for those on a tight budget, shrubs can be a wise investment because they last for many years despite their slower growth and higher cost. The bushes with flowers that are evergreens offer the highest value because they produce fruit all year. Hebes and Cistus are both excellent buys.
The most cost-effective plants come from seed, where you can buy dozens or even hundreds of them for a few pounds and get incredibly satisfactory results if you have the time and room. The fact that plants like foxgloves and nasturtiums self-seed and provide you with free plants every year makes them good choices as well.
Because a few plants may cover a lot of ground, gravel gardens are the most affordable way to grow a huge area. The benefit is that it looks nice right away, even while you wait for the new, smaller plants to fill the area.
Purchasing a few larger specimens gives a completely blank canvas an instant feeling of maturity. You can get away with considerably smaller plants elsewhere thanks to it. I love bay laurel, which costs between $30 and $40 for a good-sized bush.
Smaller trees grow more quickly than larger ones. They are less expensive to buy and frequently outgrow the larger trees. In many cases, portable grills outperform built-in ones and may be stored out of sight.
What perennial plants am I able to purchase?
Perennial plants, which have names that signify “over the years,” live for longer than two years, as opposed to annual plants, which are only alive for one season. Although technically perennials, trees and shrubs are most commonly referred to as long-lived plants. They primarily bloom in the spring, summer, or fall, with a small number blooming in the winter. Many of them also have lovely foliage. Additional categories have been created for perennials: Herbaceous perennials lose their leaves in the fall and reappear in the spring. Examples include ornamental poppies, penstemon, and Verbena bonariensis. Perennial plants that are evergreen, like some heuchera and hosta kinds, maintain their leaves all year round. Tender perennials, like dahlias, require digging up in the fall and storage in a frost-free area, but hardy perennials can withstand cold weather and be planted outside year-round.
Perennials come in a variety of sizes, from small herbaceous plants for the front of a border to medium-sized ones for the middle, to giants several meters tall for the back. There is a perennial to fit any sort of garden, for any aspect or soil type. The majority of them attain their full size in a few growing seasons after quickly establishing and expanding. Numerous perennials produce wonderful cut flowers, and the more compact types are perfect for container planting. The majority of them are pollinator-friendly blooming species.
What plants thrive year-round in containers?
Year-round best plants for containers
- Euonymus.
- Pittosporum tenax.
- Japanese skimmia
- Hosta.
- Fountain weed (Pennisetum setaceum)
- Cucumis ‘Buzz’
- Hebe.
- Agapanthus.
What is the name of all perennial plants?
These plants reliably produce flowers each year. typically increase every time. Over the winter, the roots don’t die back, but the stems do. indicating that the plant will grow again the following year.
Herbaceous
The majority of the plants in this group are considered “herbaceous perennials.” The term “woody perennials” is occasionally used to describe trees and shrubs that don’t die back to the ground over the winter.
Range
Perennial plants come in a very wide variety. Additionally, they can be applied to a wide range of planting plans. Plants that are perennial do especially well in beds and borders. Lilies, Salvia, cranesbill, peonies, hydrangea, campanula, delphiniums, Alchemilla, and Kniphofia (red-hot pokers) are just a few of the eye-catching blooms that can be added to a garden.
Evergreen
Evergreen perennials like Euphorbia, hellebores, and Tiarella are further examples of plants that retain their leaves all winter long.
Although perennial plants can produce seeds, the most frequent methods of propagation are cuttings or division of mature plants.
Which outdoor plant requires the least amount of maintenance?
Each and every Slideshow
- 15 geraniums, number 1. For good reason, geraniums are a popular annual among gardeners.
- 15 total; 2 petunias.
- 15 of 3 are sedums.
- Hostas: 4 out of 15.
- Coralbells, 5 of 15.
- 15. Weigela. 6.
- The Best Easy-Care Perennial Flowers, number 7 of 15.
- 15 of 8, mint.
What outdoor plant requires the least amount of care?
14 Easy Landscaping Plants with Low Maintenance
- Ribbon Grass, an ornamental grass.
- Fescue is an ornamental grass.
- Tree: Honeylocust with no thorns.
- The juniper shrub.
- Hardy Geranium, a perennial flowering plant.
- Dianthus is a perennial flower.
- Hydrangea is a shrub that blooms.
- Gold Sedge, please.
What outdoor plant is the simplest?
Eldred Steinkopf told Newsweek that alliums, including Millenium, phlox, grasses, astilbes, and rudbeckias, are among other simple perennials to plant. Alliums thrive in full sun exposure and are drought tolerant, growing best in well-drained soil.