CONTAINERS & POTS

Putting it together

Creative talents can be expressed in developing themes and colour combinations to complement the house style. Generally, with the right care, plants will 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.Stay consistent with complementary styles and materials.

• Plastic - available in standard or classical styles. Light weight but tends to fade and become brittle.
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• Terracotta - available in a large range of sizes and styles. Attractive and relatively inexpensive.
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• Lightweight - crafted from high-quality fibreglass and mineral composite, these pots are 70% lighter than traditional stone. Contemporary and authentic in a range of shapes, colours and textures.
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• Glazed - available in a range of colours to complement any decor.
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• Timber - available in various shapes and sizes. Most are made from tanalised timber. Old wine barrels provide a rustic look.
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• Concrete or Crushed Marble - mostly moulded into classical shapes. Heavy to move.
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Saucers are helpful to keep patio areas clean but ensure that pots do not sit permanently in a saucer of water. A small spacer or pot feet will keep pots raised off the ground to ensure good drainage.

Creative containers for a bit of fun include boots, wheelbarrows, cream cans, chimney pots, baskets, broken pots, hollow logs.

‍The potting mix

It is important to use a quality free draining potting mix. A good mix is specially formulated for this purpose.  We recommend ican Premium Potting Mix to which you can add water storage granules for extra water holding capacity and a wetting agent which ensures easy and complete wetting of the mix when dry.

Planting the container

Select the container for the plant by matching or contrasting colours, and balance the size and shape of the pot with the size and shape of the plant. Make sure the container you choose has drainage holes in the bottom. A layer of course pumice or stones in the bottom will assist drainage. Fill container with potting mix to about one third. Position your plants then continue to fill the pot, taking care not to overfill. Allow for a 1 to 2cm space below the rim of the pot so that water does not run over. Plant up, firm down and water thoroughly.

Mulching the surface of the pot with pebbles adds a decorative finish as well as helping to retain 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 the garden centre team for further help.

Mass plant single colours for impact (eg pansies, petunias). When putting together a mixed container of annuals, perennials and shrubs, choose well grown plants and plant closely for an instant effect. Individual shrubs can be underplanted with mounding or trailing plants.

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1.  Long term shrubs for large containers:

Azaleas, camellias, cabbage trees, conifers, dwarf flax, hebes, hydrangeas, Pieris, maples, Pittosporum ‘Gold Ball’, roses.

2.  Plants for medium size containers:

Buxus, Calibrachoa, Colorwave petunias, fuchsias, geraniums, herbs, hostas, patio roses, pelargoniums, lavender.

3.  Vegetables & fruit for medium and large containers:

Tomatoes, courgettes, sweet & chilli peppers, dwarf beans, beetroot, carrots, lettuces, spinach, peas, radishes, potatoes. Blueberries, strawberries, dwarf fruit trees, citrus.

4.  Annuals for any containers:

Alyssum, impatiens, lobelia, marigolds, pansies, petunias, polyanthus, snapdragons, violas, salvia, poppies, primulas.

5.  Bulbs for containers:

Bluebells, daffodils, freesias, crocus, hyacinths, tulips.

Feeding

Most potting mixes contain sufficient slow-release fertiliser for 6 to 8 months, thereafter, feeding is required. It is best to use ican Slow Food for feeding container plants. It is safe and will not burn roots and lasts up to 24 months from one application.

Liquid feeding of container plants is recommended to give plants a boost. Apply ican Fast Food (or one of the proprietary liquid ican foods) once a week during the growing season.

Watering

The most important task with container gardening is watering. 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 spray nozzle on the hose and be sure the potting mix is thoroughly watered. Apply wetting agents every 3 - 4 months to ensure even thorough wetting when you water.

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