Plants For Year Round Container Gardening
When the air turns chilly in fall, many gardeners discard, propagate, or find a home in the ground for their outdoor potted plants. It’s a shame, really – because there’s a whole world of perennials and shrubs that can thrive in containers for years to come. By taking advantage of this, you can reduce the time and money you spend on your pots, while enjoying year-round interest and consistency in your container designs.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that growing plants in pots is quite different from planting them in the ground. Containers can provide excellent drainage, but they also rely on you for water and nutrients. And those delicate little roots don’t get the same insulation from winter temperatures as their in-ground counterparts. But with a little trial and error, I’ve found a wide array of tough, versatile plants that can live happily in pots, season after season.
One of my personal favorites is the ‘Golden Sword’ yucca (Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’, Zones 4–11). This architectural beauty combines easily with so many other plants, and its swordlike, golden-centered leaves add drama and texture to any container. In summer, it even puts on a fragrant flower show with those towering, 3- to 6-foot stems. And while the foliage may get a little flat in late winter, it perks right back up come spring. Just pull off the old leaves to keep it looking tidy.
Another year-round stunner is ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mountain’, Zones 4–9). Unlike many other boxwoods, this cultivar retains its rich green color through the cold months. And its graceful, pyramidal habit looks absolutely elegant spilling over the edges of a pot. Just make sure to give it a semi-shaded spot and rotate the container periodically to keep it balanced.
Of course, no container garden is complete without a few trailing plants to soften the edges. That’s where golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, Zones 4–8) really shines. This deer-resistant beauty cascades beautifully, and its golden, coin-shaped leaves look fabulous with just about everything. It’s equally happy in sun or partial shade, as long as you keep the soil nice and moist.
For year-round interest with a pop of color, I’d recommend taking a look at Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica and cvs., Zones 6–8). In spring, the flower buds open to reveal delicate, urn-shaped blooms in shades of pink and white. And the foliage goes through its own color show, transitioning from glossy red to salmon pink to creamy white. Even in winter, those flower buds add a lovely touch. Just be sure to protect it from harsh winds and strong sunlight.
Of course, no container garden is complete without a few evergreen anchors. ‘Emerald’ arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald’, syn. ‘Smaragd’, Zones 2–7) is a fantastic choice, with its rich green, glossy foliage that stays vibrant all year long. The upright, narrow habit of this cultivar provides the perfect vertical accent for your containers.
And speaking of evergreens, bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia and cvs., Zones 3–8) is another one of my go-to’s. Those big, bold leaves add such a lush, architectural element, and they turn a stunning burgundy in the fall. Plus, the pink, hyacinth-like flowers in early spring are a real treat for the senses. Bergenia thrives in both sun and partial shade, and it actually seems to perform even better in my containers than in the ground.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But what about winter?” Well, that’s where some of my other favorite container plants really shine. Take variegated redtwig dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’, Zones 2–8), for instance. Those bright red stems add a vibrant pop of color when everything else is looking a little blah. And the leaves, with their white margins and grayish green centers, provide year-round interest. Just be sure to prune out any older branches in early spring to encourage the most brilliant color.
Speaking of winter interest, you can’t go wrong with ‘Blue Star’ juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’, Zones 4–9). Those tight, steel-blue needles really stand out, even when the rest of your container is dormant. Plus, its arching, mounding habit drapes elegantly over the edges of the pot. Just keep it in full sun and away from humid conditions.
And let’s not forget about the versatile sedum. ‘Fuldaglut’ sedum (Sedum spurium ‘Fuldaglut’, Zones 4–9) is a real standout, with its bronze-red foliage that turns an even deeper red in winter. Those delicate, scalloped leaves provide a beautiful contrast to the cerise blooms that appear in late summer. At just 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide, it’s the perfect filler for the front of your containers.
Of course, successfully overwintering container plants takes a bit of extra care and attention. For starters, choose pots that are made of materials that can withstand the cold, like fiberglass, lead, iron, heavy plastic, or stone. (Stay away from plain old terra cotta – those tend to crack in the freeze-thaw cycle.) And be sure to use a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for containers.
When it comes to watering, you’ll want to scale back as the temperatures drop. Stop using any water-soluble fertilizers about 6-8 weeks before your first frost date, as you don’t want to encourage tender new growth that won’t survive the winter. And once the soil is frozen, avoid watering altogether – those poor plants just can’t take it. Instead, use products like Wilt-Pruf on your broadleaf evergreens and conifers to protect against winter winds and desiccation.
Now, I know it can be tempting to just toss your container plants and start fresh every spring. But with a little extra TLC, many of these beauties can live happily in pots for years. Just be sure to repot them every 3 years or so, to keep the soil fresh and the roots happy.
So why not give year-round container gardening a try? With the right plants and a bit of seasonal care, you can create gorgeous, cohesive designs that last from January all the way through December. And who knows – you might even end up with a few container plants that become like old friends, returning to grace your porch or patio year after year. Happy planting!
