Plants for ContainersWindow Boxes
A wide range of plants can be used including pansies (for winter colour), dwarf bulbs (for spring), annuals and perennials such as pelargonium (for summer) and dwarf shrubs (for permanent planting). Plants should be selected carefully so that they can be seen from inside the house but will not be so tall that they block out light.
An example of a planting scheme for a 1 metre long x 25 cm wide window box would be 2 trailing ivy (one at each end), a row of 7 surfina petunia at the front and 2 grey helichrysum towards the back.
Hanging Baskets
Many different kinds of plants can be used but the most popular are summer flowering bedding plants, such as pelargonium, petunia, fuchsia and impatiens.
A 45 cm (18 in.) diameter basket could be planted up with one fuchsia ‘Swingtime’ or ‘Cascade’, 8 plants of lobelia ‘Cambridge Blue’ and 3 plants of Helichrysum petiolare. The basket should be planted as follows: Put one third of the compost in the basket and plant 3 lobelia at this level by cutting appropriate holes in the liner and pushing the roots carefully through the wire-mesh so the top growth of the lobelia is trailing on the outside.
Add a further third of the compost and plant 2 lobelia and 3 helichrysum at this level in the same way. Fill in the remainder of the compost and plant the fuchsia in the middle of the container and surround it with the remaining 3 lobelia planted on the top surface of the compost. As with other containers, the level of the compost should be about 2.5 cm below the rim to allow for watering.
Image CreditLarge Containers
Many plants can be grown in large containers including those mentioned for window boxes and hanging baskets. Most suitable plants are generally those with a bushy habit such as pelargonium, calceolaria, begonia and fuchsia with trailers around the edge to soften the sides of the container. Perennial plants such as heather, ivy, Japanese maple and camellia can be grown successfully in large containers.
Care
Watering needs to be done carefully as it is easy to run is restricted. Containers should never be allowed run is restricted. Containers should never be allowed to dry out completely, nor should the plants be kept constantly moist. However, a well-filled hanging basket in summer will dry out quickly and may need watering twice a day. Because their root system is constricted, plants in containers need regular feeding. Many kinds of slow release fertilisers for adding to compost and foliar feeds are available. Removing the dead flower heads will prolong their flowering period and improve their appearance. Your local garden centre can supply suitable containers, compost and plants as well as providing additional information on how to get best results.
Bord Bia It’s Garden Time
With thanks to Bord Bia for this article. For more information on Bord Bia and for further gardening tips and advice, visit http://www.bordbia.ie/consumer/gardening/itsgardentime/pages/gardentips.aspx
Hanging Baskets
Many different kinds of plants can be used but the most popular are summer flowering bedding plants, such as pelargonium, petunia, fuchsia and impatiens.
A 45 cm (18 in.) diameter basket could be planted up with one fuchsia ‘Swingtime’ or ‘Cascade’, 8 plants of lobelia ‘Cambridge Blue’ and 3 plants of Helichrysum petiolare. The basket should be planted as follows: Put one third of the compost in the basket and plant 3 lobelia at this level by cutting appropriate holes in the liner and pushing the roots carefully through the wire-mesh so the top growth of the lobelia is trailing on the outside.
Add a further third of the compost and plant 2 lobelia and 3 helichrysum at this level in the same way. Fill in the remainder of the compost and plant the fuchsia in the middle of the container and surround it with the remaining 3 lobelia planted on the top surface of the compost. As with other containers, the level of the compost should be about 2.5 cm below the rim to allow for watering.
Image Credit
Large Containers
Many plants can be grown in large containers including those mentioned for window boxes and hanging baskets. Most suitable plants are generally those with a bushy habit such as pelargonium, calceolaria, begonia and fuchsia with trailers around the edge to soften the sides of the container. Perennial plants such as heather, ivy, Japanese maple and camellia can be grown successfully in large containers.
Care
Watering needs to be done carefully as it is easy to run is restricted. Containers should never be allowed run is restricted. Containers should never be allowed to dry out completely, nor should the plants be kept constantly moist. However, a well-filled hanging basket in summer will dry out quickly and may need watering twice a day. Because their root system is constricted, plants in containers need regular feeding. Many kinds of slow release fertilisers for adding to compost and foliar feeds are available. Removing the dead flower heads will prolong their flowering period and improve their appearance. Your local garden centre can supply suitable containers, compost and plants as well as providing additional information on how to get best results.
Bord Bia It’s Garden Time
With thanks to Bord Bia for this article. For more information on Bord Bia and for further gardening tips and advice, visit http://www.bordbia.ie/consumer/gardening/itsgardentime/pages/gardentips.aspx 
