ANNUALS
Introduction
Plant Selection
Hardy, Semi-hardy, Tender
Heat and Drought Tolerant
Shade Tolerant Annuals
Fragrant Annuals
Ornamental Foliage
Climbing Annuals
Hanging Baskets
Cut Flowers
Planting
Starting Plants
Maintenance
Insects Problems
Disease Problems

PERENNIALS
Introduction
Plant Selection
Plant Dimension Characteristics
Specific Site Conditions
Classification by Bloom Periods
Perennials That Attract Wildlife
Planting
Starting Plants
Care and Maintenance

BULB FLOWERS
Introduction
Plant Selection
Planting Bulbs
Purchasing Bulbs
Care & Maintenance

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Introduction
Plant Selection
Mature Size
Grasses for Specific Uses
Planting Ornamental Grasses
Obtaining Plants
Care & Maintenance

CONTAINER GARDENING
Introduction
Container Selection
Soil Mixes
Container Placement
Plant Selection
Plant Care

Plant Selection

As for choosing plants to place in containers, the sky is the limit. With sufficient attention to detail, almost any small-stature plant that can grow in the garden can be convinced to grow in a container. Part of the fun of container gardening is experimenting with new plants.

Annuals are ideal container plants
Courtesy of FreeFoto.com

However, some plants are definitely more adapted to containers than others. The cornerstone of container gardening are annuals. They can be induced to produce quick, long-lasting color, allowed to decline and die at season’s end, then replaced the following year. In the mean time, the pots can be taken out of the weather, emptied, cleaned, and stored for the next season. Here are some annual flowers that are easy to grow in containers:

Geraniums are perennial in pots, if protected in winter
Courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Perennials, including bulbs,also make great container specimens. However, they require both larger containers to provide long-term plant needs and attention to winter care to remain healthy during the dormant period. Tender perennials, such as begonia, dianthus, geranium, impatiens, and lantana will need to be moved indoors before frost. Hardy perennials will need some winter protection but can take (even need) cold temperatures. Good perennial subjects for container gardening include the following:

*Tender perennial, susceptible to frost, requires special winter maintenance.

Grasses can thrive in containers
Photo courtesy of Judy Sedbrook

Small to moderate-sized ornamental grasses make great container plants, especially mixed with other plants that add color and texture. Appropriate grasses for containers include:

*Tender perennial, damaged by frost and requires special winter maintenance.

Bulbs bloom well in pots
Courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Bulbs are good candidates for container gardens. Being perennial, overwintering maintenance concerns apply. Bulb plants that work well include:

*Tender bulb, damaged by frost and requires special winter maintenance.

The University of Vermont provides a long list of plants suitable for container planting, at: http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/pubs/oh70perspcont.pdf#search

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