Many plants can be kept outdoors in planters.
Although planters can be valuable assets to gardening, separating otherwise invasive species and housing plants that require different amounts of soil from the rest of the garden, planters are not ideal growing environments for all plants. In fact, many plants require too much root space to grow in a confined area. Fortunately, several plants perform admirably in planters---while some even thrive. Does this Spark an idea?
Evergreens
Evergreens are plants that do not lose their leaves when winter comes or during a cold spell. These plants range in size from squat bushes to the tallest trees, but many species are ideal for containers if pruned regularly. While dwarf pines and firs feature needles, others such as the spruce have scaly leaves. These plants often thrive under the full sunlight of the outdoors and, while they retain their leaves year-round, respond to seasonal cold temperatures by reducing their growth rate significantly. Evergreens in planters are also used for outdoor topiary sculpture.
Green Plants
Not all green plants are evergreens, but many others also perform well outdoors in a planter. Cast iron plants, yucca plants and even cacti all perform well in containers, grow slowly and tolerate the full light of the sun. Although more of a specialty plant, cactus plants love the sun, require little water and need to be repotted only every three to four years. Plants such as the cast iron plant and the yucca are used in landscaping, as well as in containers and stand up to both cold and drought well. Yucca can also be used to fill out planters where flowering plants leave large gaps and little cover for the soil. This service provides not only a fuller look for the container but covers the soil from excess heat.
Flowers
Flowers for outdoor planters come in all sizes from the low-growing violet to the large and succulent aloe vera plant, which is a member of the lily family. Most flowers require more attention than green plants or evergreens, growing quickly to bloom for a season during the year and then dying, sometimes down to the roots, sometimes altogether. Flowering shrubs, such as the shrub rose and the red twig dogwood are hardier plants and tolerate dry spells and heat more than violets or petunias.
Vegetables
Outdoor container plants are often selected for their beauty and fragrance, but many can also provide a valuable product to their owner. Tomatoes, basil, cilantro and mint grow especially well in containers while requiring the conditions of full sunlight and warm weather often found outdoors. These plants must be well watered, but will provide edible vegetables after their flowering period.
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