Top 10 Outstanding Perennial Plants Perfect for Container Growing
Are you ready to convert your space into a breathtaking, flourishing haven? You're in the right spot, mate! Starting a container garden with perennial plants is your ticket to creating a stunning display that brings color, life, and vibes to whatever area you've got in mind – from sunny patios to gloomy balconies.
Envision yourself stepping onto your balcony, greeted by an explosion of vibrant flowers, soothing greenery, and the scent of blooming beauties. With the appropriate plant picks and a few simple guidelines, you can make this dream a reality. The key is choosing the right potting mix, ensuring proper drainage, and selecting plants that take to well-draining soil.
Let's jump into some top picks for container perennials and get ready to build a container garden masterpiece that'll make everyone green with envy!
Best Perennials for Pots
1. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a cheerful, low-fuss flowering plant that's excellent for both garden beds and containers. This bloke thrives in USDA zones 3–9, and some of the varieties are perennials, while others are annuals. To achieve the best blooms, plant your Coreopsis in a well-draining potting mix that receives at least six hours of full sun daily. These sun worshippers aren't keen on poorly drained, swampy areas, so make sure they bask in the sun for at least 6–8 hours a day.
Coreopsis grows beautifully in well-draining soil and keeps the soil surface moderately moist. Pair them with fancy ornamental grasses or fountain grass to create an impressive early summer display in your garden bed or containers.
2. Gaillardia
Gaillardias are a delightful addition to any garden, and they're easy as pie to grow in pots for a showstopping display. To get started, sow 3–4 seeds in an 8-inch pot, covering them lightly with soil. Plant the seeds about 4–6 mm deep and water them lightly. Keep your pots in the shade until the seeds germinate in about 10–12 days, then move them to a sunny spot, as Gaillardias love a good dose of morning sun.
Grow these vibrant, firecracker-colored beauties in a sunny border or large pot with free-draining, low-nutrient soil – no need for fertilizer! Gaillardias, whether annual or perennial, are incredibly simple to grow from seed or as established plants. They are winter-hardy and, once established, become drought-tolerant. These plants can reach a few feet tall and stun the senses with blooms from late spring to early fall.
3. Sedum
With their shallow roots, sedum makes an excellent choice for container gardening. They are fantastic as long as they have proper drainage. Whether you're using a well-draining potting mix or a special succulent potting mix, sedum will flourish. The container size should depend on the height and spread of your chosen variety. These attractive perennials are perfect for adding long-lasting blooms to your garden.
Sedum makes a fine container plant! Start by selecting a pot that's no more than double the width of the plastic container the sedum came in. Compact varieties are particularly suited for containers and create a striking display of new blooms throughout the growing season. These plants are also bunny-proof, making them a favorite among gardeners.
4. Coral Bells
Coral bells grow splendidly in containers, adding vibrant color and texture to your garden. To help them thrive, ensure your pot has a drainage hole at the bottom for excess water to escape. If you'd like them to return next year, consider transplanting them into the landscape in early fall. For gardeners in zones 6b or warmer, coral bells can even be overwintered in their containers.
These versatile beauties are perfect for container gardening, especially if you don't have much space in your garden beds. Choose from various varieties to create a dazzling display of foliage and blooms throughout the season. Remember to feed them regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer to help them keep looking their best from spring to summer and into fall. With their attention-grabbing foliage and stunning flower blooms, coral bells are a fantastic addition to any garden, providing year-round interest and color.
5. Lavender
Lavender is a fantastic option for pots, as it happily thrives in containers. The half-hardy types especially adore the snug security of a terracotta pot filled with light, well-draining potting mix. Find a sunny spot in your yard because lavender plants are sun-loving perennials that need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
If you're growing lavender indoors, placing your potted lavender on a sunny windowsill that gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily can help them thrive. These scent-sational plants add color to your landscape and attract essential pollinators like bees and butterflies with their aromatic blooms. Ensure your pots have excellent drainage to prevent waterlogged roots and stay on top of watering.
6. Hostas
When selecting hostas for your containers, opt for the small varieties like Whirlwind, and save the massive beauties for your backyard landscape. Hostas in containers thrive best in light to moderate shade, with a spot that gets exposure to morning light being ideal. These perennial favorites are perfect for container gardening, offering an appealing mix of texture and color.
Hostas come in thousands of cultivars, each with unique foliage and stunning blooms that can even display shades of pink in the spring. They are simple to care for, making them a perfect choice for busy or even somewhat distracted gardeners.
7. Thyme
Thyme is a versatile herb that thrives in small to medium pots with excellent drainage, ideally at least 30 cm deep and 30 cm wide. This kitchen champion is perfect for adding flavor to your dishes and eye candy to your garden. The best container for growing thyme is a clay pot. Although other pots work just fine, clay pots let the soil dry out between waterings, preventing the roots from getting too soggy, as thyme isn't a fan of overly wet conditions.
Plant your thyme in a sunny spot to ensure it gets plenty of light. Thyme produces lovely flowers that add a splash of color to your container garden. Whether you're a gardening veteran or just getting started, thyme is a fantastic choice that's easy to care for and endlessly rewarding.
8. Bellflower
Most bellflowers shine best in full sun, though some woodland species thrive in part shade and full shade. However, for the most vibrant flower display, it's best to plant your bellflowers in full sun. These charming plants grow up to 15 cm tall with a spread of 50 cm, making them perfect for pots, baskets, and rockeries.
Imagine adding new plants like bellflowers to your garden alongside your Shasta daisies. Their compact varieties fit beautifully in small spaces, creating a dazzling, colorful display.
9. Viola
Violas are garden superstars, offering versatility and charm in various settings. Whether you're potting them as a collection of individual varieties, like auriculas, or mixing them together, violas sparkle in pots. They also pair beautifully with other plants in mixed containers, making them a delightful addition to any garden.
These amazing annual plants can withstand cold winters and thrive in both landscapes and containers, making them a favorite among gardeners in Mississippi.
10. Ornamental Grass
One of the most beloved ornamental grasses, Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis), is a show-stopper, big, beautiful, and incredibly easy to grow! Also known as Chinese Silver Grass, this stunning plant features narrow, arching foliage complemented by elegant silvery plumes. For an extra pop of color in your landscape, consider variegated selections like 'Dixieland.'
Valued for its pale green or purple-tinged airy plumes that burst into bloom in late June and continue their dazzling display through late August, this dark-green native stands about 1.8 meters tall. It thrives in acidic, moist soil and loves basking in the sun or enjoying a bit of part shade.
Conclusion
Perennial plants bring endless opportunities for creativity and fun, making your gardening experience enjoyable and rewarding.
Visualize your patio, balcony, or even your windowsill exploding with a kaleidoscope of flowers, each chosen to thrive in its container home. With the right potting mix, proper drainage holes, and a bit of love, your plants will reward you with stunning displays throughout the seasons.
Your container garden masterpiece awaits, ready to bring joy and beauty to your life. Happy gardening, mate!
Embrace the chance to transform your balcony into a floral haven with an explosion of vibrant flowers, soothing greenery, and delightful scents. With the right plant choices and proper care, you can make your container garden masterpiece that leaves others green with envy.
Consider incorporating perennials for pots, such as Coreopsis with its cheerful blooms, Gaillardia with its fiery colors, Sedum for its attractive foliage, Coral Bells for their vibrant colors and texture, Lavender for its aromatic blooms, or perhaps growing Thyme for a delicious seasoning option. Furthermore, Bellflowers, Violas, Ornamental Grass, and even Hostas can add charm and interest to your container garden.
Envision your lifestyle elevated by the serenity and beauty that your container garden brings to your home-and-garden. Enjoy the fashion-and-beauty of your flowering containers while savoring the fresh air and sunshine on your patio, balcony, or any available space within your living environment. Gardening will never be the same again!
