Choosing and caring for container plants

Why container plants?

Not everyone has a large garden. On a balcony, roof terrace or small patio, containers are the way to bring greenery and colour into your outdoor space. The beauty of container gardening lies in its flexibility. You can move plants around, try combinations and add seasonal accents without making permanent decisions. Garden centres across the UK stock a vast range of pots and planters.

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Choosing the right pot

The pot matters as much as the plant inside it. Watch for three things: size, material and drainage. A pot that's too small restricts root growth and dries out fast. Always pick a pot at least 5 centimetres wider than the current root ball.

Terracotta breathes and looks beautiful, but dries out faster than plastic. Plastic is light and retains moisture better, yet can overheat in full sun. Zinc and corten steel look modern but get scorching hot. Whatever you choose, make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom.

Sorting drainage

Place a layer of clay pebbles or crocks at the bottom, around 3 centimetres deep. This stops roots sitting in standing water. Use quality potting compost, not garden soil. Garden soil clumps in a pot and drains poorly.

Selecting plants

Choose plants that suit the light conditions of your spot. A shady balcony calls for different species than a south-facing terrace. Hostas, ferns and astilbe thrive in shade. Lavender, salvia and ornamental grasses flourish in sun.

Consider root requirements too. Trees and large shrubs need deep pots. Herbs and annuals do fine in shallow bowls. Create height by placing tall grasses at the back and low ground cover at the front.

Seasonal planning

The secret to a container garden that always looks good is variety through the seasons. In autumn, tuck bulbs between perennials. They'll be the first up in spring. Add spring flowers like violas and primroses. In summer, sunflowers, pelargoniums and verbena take over.

Swap annuals each season, but keep the permanent backbone in place. That saves money and gives structure to your arrangement.

Watering and feeding

Container plants dry out many times faster than those in open ground. On hot summer days you may need to water twice daily. Always check with your finger whether the top centimetres are dry before watering. Too much water is just as damaging as too little.

Feeding is essential in pots because nutrients leach out every time you water. Use a liquid feed fortnightly from April to September. Or work slow-release granules into the compost at planting time.

Overwintering

Not all container plants survive winter outdoors. Group pots together against a sheltered wall and wrap them in bubble wrap or horticultural fleece. Move frost-tender plants into an unheated greenhouse or garage. Water occasionally in winter too, because drying out kills more container plants than cold does.

Common mistakes

Pots that are too small are the most frequent problem. A cramped plant stops growing and flowers less. Repot every spring when roots emerge from the bottom.

A second mistake is ignoring wind. Balconies and rooftops get buffeted. Choose low, heavy pots or set them on a weighted tray. Tall slender pots topple at the first gust.

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