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First Container Plant
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Posted by whaas 5a Milwaukee (My Page) on Mon, Nov 16, 09 at 22:11
| I have this very boring area under my front porch.
Looking to get lets say a 25 gal. pot to put there and leave there at all times (even over winter).
Is this possible?
If so, any suggestions for a particular plant(s)? I was thinking going simple with an Arborvitae for season long vertical height/color. Pot type suggestions welcome as well.
Mostly shade, protected from almost all winds (except east).
Watering is not a problem. Pot is right out the front door, literally 20ft from the Kitchen faucet. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: First Container Plant
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| I live fairly near you, but don't really have a recommendation for this area. Arborvitae is a good choice due to it's cold hardiness (such as the common Emerald Green), but grown in mostly shade conditions it's likely to grow spindly and may even die after a few years if the available light is too low. If you won't fall in love with it and don't mind replacing it every few years it should work fine. The combination of necessary cold hardiness and shade tolerance have me unable to come up with any ideas although there must be some. Anyone else? |
RE: First Container Plant
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- Posted by jodik 5 Central IL (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 17, 09 at 12:23
| Quite honestly, I don't know of any plants that will survive a northern winter in a container left outdoors. I would suggest planting the container each spring with either annuals, perennials, or a combination of both, and be prepared to replace the plants every spring. |
RE: First Container Plant
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| I actually had more concerns about the pot cracking vs. the plant surviving. Its in a little cove area and will be within 2ft of a heated inside wall. As justaguy2 mentioned, I won't fall in love with this plant so don't mind replacing it with a $20 shrub every few years. Maybe I'll go arb and put various annuals around the perimeter. Or even a Degroots Spire with dwarf hydrangea around it. So about the pot...I saw a very overwhelming recent post about pots, but given the situation should I go plastic or clay? I'm nervous to go to anything but plastic as a 25gal pot will be a expensive. Typical low for the year would be -12 to -15. |
RE: First Container Plant
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| I would go plastic. Clay is much more likely to crack in the winter. There may be a good argument that clay is healthier for the plant, but the health of the plant isn't a huge concern since we already know it won't get enough light to thrive. Without adequate light nothing else really matters ;) |
RE: First Container Plant
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| Good point... If anybody else thinks of any plant suggestions, let me know! I would say the plants may get 2-3 hours of morning sun. Besides the holes on the bottom of the pot, should I drill any? Qty
Size
Location (ie quarter way up from the bottom?) |
RE: First Container Plant
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| The one hole it has now is enough. I recommend a piece of window screen or similar over that hole to prevent the mix from clogging (not real likely, but good to prevent anyway) |
RE: First Container Plant
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| I'd suggest a selection of yew - either Taxus canadensis, cuspidata or x media. And all are available in upright, rather narrow (initially), columar forms. These tend to be more shade tolerant than many types of conifers, including the arborvitae, and should be hardy enough to withstand your winter cold. Especially if the location seems to offer a more favorable microclimate, as yours appears to do. |
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