Container gardens

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 423, 11 February 1992, Page 8

Container gardens

I don't know how xt is that whenever we plan to spend a few precious hours on a project in our g arden, and despite the fact fine weather is forecast plus the fact we have had no rain for days, it seems to be a signal for the clouds to ro 11 in and down comes the rain. Admittedly the rain was badly needed and it was some compensation to see the garden visibly freshen and the thirsty plants really enjoy the refreshing rain, but some of our poor container plants were badly in need of new containers some of which were disintegrating round the roots. Enthusiasm Armed with a number of new planters, a bale of Hauraki peat, another of, potting mix and great enthusiasm we ignored the soft misty rain which was falling and filling a disused garden pool with a mixture of peat and potting mix. We watered this well to ensure that the peat was damp right through before mixing it at a ration of one part peat mix to three parts of good garden loam. Finding enough stones to line the base of six large containers to ensure adequate drainage was a bit of a problem but having eventually half filled two buckets and washing them thoroughly with a little Jeyes fluid added to the water to kill any unwanted bacteria, we were ready to go. The rain now increasing to a steady downpour, we decided to have lunch first hoping that the rain would ease later but our peat mix began gradually to closely resemble a stodgy pudding and we were forced to abandon the attempt. Perhaps it will be fine on Sunday. Modern living Container plants fit in so well with our modem style living, for decks, patios, enclosed courtyards, and around spa and swimming pools. Carefully selected plants can be chosen to provide flowers and foliage colour all year round. I would emphasize that containers need not necessarily be the expensive variety. Fancy ceramic and pottery containers are lovely if you can afford them but without the little care and attention which potted plants need they will perform no better than in an old washing up bowl or a cheap bucket. As long as the container is large enough to eontain the root ball of the plant with a little space all round it, is solid enough to prevent the soil mix from

escaping through the cracks and has enough holes drilled into the base for adequate drainage it will serve the purpose, although some metal containers are best if painted inside with a waterproof paint and never, ever, plant directly into a copper or brass container such as an old stone copper lining. Camellias make good tub plants and the various varieties will provide flowers from late winter right up to almost Christmas. The smaller varieties are best for this purpose. We have 'Baby Bear' which is a tiny cutie and 'Lutchensis' which is another small one with very dainty pale pink flowers. Ballet Dancer' is another frilly pink and there are many varieties eminently suitable. Some of the taller varieties can be used clipped and trained to a standard. I have seen Barbara Clark' used in this way. For later spring flowering, azaleas and dwarf rhododendron are quite happy as container plants and in conjunction with potted spring bulbs will provide a wonderful spring display as long as the flowers are protected from frost. I have had magnolia soulangia 'San Jose' and the smaller flowered 'Leonard Messel' growing happily in a pot for the past two years and they have

both flowered quite well. Clipped back after flowering they are contained into a bush although I think 'San Jose' will eventually grow too large. Some of the miniature flowering cherry trees that are on the market now could be used as tub plants and the little flowering almond prunus glandulosa rosa plena would both be lovely As winter approaches the tender spring flowering varieties such as rhodos and azaleas will be best moved to shadier spots as the hot summer sun may burn them. These and the pots of spring bulbs which have finished flowering can be replaced perhaps by tubs of hydrangeas in various hues and florabunda roses which always make a colourful show. Even a climbing rose will respond quite well provided it has a trellis frame to support the laterals. Use tubs and buckets of bright daisy type perennials along with summer annuals, petunias, marigold, calendula and for late summer salvia and portulacca. Interspersed with coloured foliage plants, these will make a great show and when summer fades and the winter approaches the fiery foliage of the dwarf together with the greens, golds and blues of some of the smaller / conifers will brighten ' the dullest winter day.