Container Gardening

A few well placed pots can transform any outdoor area.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER 

Creative talents can be expressed by developing themes and colour combinations to complement the house style. Generally plants grow better in containers, there is no weeding and they are able to be moved around. 

The Pot ​

Choose a style that suits your house and garden: 

Plastic 

Better quality plastics are available that can withstand UV without fading and splitting. Available in a multitude of colours to match any décor and style. 

Timber 

Usually made from tanalised timber. Old wine barrels are used for rustic effect. 

Terracotta 

Available in a large range of sizes/styles. Attractive and relatively inexpensive. 

Glazed 

Available in a range of colours to complement any decor. 

Concrete or Crushed Marble 

Mostly moulded into classical shapes. A small spacer or pot feet will keep pots raised off the ground to ensure good drainage. 

Creative Containers for a bit of fun 

Boots, wheelbarrows, cream cans, chimney pots, baskets, broken pots, hollow logs. 

The Potting Mix 

It is very important to use a good free-draining potting mix formulated for outdoor containers. A good mix contains, water storage granules and a wetting a agent which ensures easy and complete wetting of the mix, plus slow release fertiliser. 

Planting the Container 

Make sure the container you choose has drainage holes in the bottom. A layer of course pumice or pebbles in the bottom will assist drainage. Fill the container with the potting mix, taking care not to overfill, so that when you water the pot the water does not run off the top. Plant up, firm the soil down lightly and water thoroughly. 

Mulching the surface of the pot with pebbles helps to retain moisture. If you are using a terracotta pot, it is a good idea to firstly seal the inside with a terracotta sealant – this will aid in the retention of moisture. 

Plants for Containers 

Most plants can be grown in containers, however some varieties are more suitable than others. 

The following plant lists are a guide to getting started. There are many more suitable varieties available. Ask your Nichols garden adviser for further help. 

Mass plant single colours for impact (e.g. pansies, petunias). When putting together a mixed container of annuals and perennials choose well established plants and plant closely for an instant effect. 

Individual shrubs can be under planted with mounding or trailing plants. 

The following list is a simple start: 

Shrubs for Long-term Large containers 

• Azalea, Camellia, Michelia 
• Cabbage tree (Cordyline), Hydrangea 
• Citrus varieties, Pepper Tree (Horopito) 
• Confifer, Maple (Acer) 
• Flax (Phormium), Rata or Pohutukawa (Metrosideros) 
• Ligustrum 
• Topiary eg Bay trees (Laurus), Liquidamber Gumball, Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya), Box (Buxus) 
• Yucca varieties 

Plants for Medium Containers 

• Begonia, Federation Daisy, Cape Daisy (Osteospermum) 
• Box (Buxus), Patio Roses, Geranium, Daphne Perfume Princess 
• Herbs and Vegetable plants including some Companion Plants eg Calendula 

Annuals for any Containers 

• Alyssum, Bacopa, Cosmos 
• Lobelia, Impatiens, Marigold 
• Pansy, Primula, Petunia 
• Snapdragons, Salvia, Verbena 

AFTER CARE 

Feeding 

Most potting mixes contain sufficient slow-release fertiliser for 6 to 8 months, there-after feeding is required. 

Use Osmocote for feeding container plants. It is safe and will not burn the roots, and lasts 6 to 8 months from one application. 

Liquid feeding of container plants is recommended to keep plants healthy and prolong their flowering efforts, regular watering can leach much of their available food so it’s important to top up regularly. Apply weekly during the growing season. Some of our recommendations include Nitrosol, Phostrogen, Thrive or a Seaweed/ Fish liquid feed.

Watering 

The most important thing with container gardening is water. Potted plants dry out quickly and will require daily watering in summer and once every 2 or 3 days in spring and autumn. Use a soft nozzle on the hose and be sure the potting mix is thoroughly watered. Saturaid is a useful addition to the potting soil. It allows water to travel through dry soil to the roots. A generous sprinkle around the top of potted outdoor plants is all that is needed.