Container gardening is a easy and enjoyable way to add color and texture to your outdoor spaces. Whether your pots are in the shade or sun, choosing the right perennials ensures lasting beauty and ease of care. This blog post will highlight the 20 best perennials for container gardening and how to care for them. Including ten best shade perennials and ten best sun perennials to grow in pots, along with tips on how to plant and care for each one.
10 Shade Perennials for Pots
Below are 10 Shade perennials for pots or containers and how to plant and care for them.
Hostas
Hostas are a popular choice for shade gardens, known for their lush, broad leaves. To plant hostas, choose a large pot with good drainage. Use a rich, well drained soil mix. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not water logged. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support new growth. For more in depth post on growing Hostas just click here.
Astilbes
Astilbes produce feathery plumes of flowers that add a touch of elegance to shaded areas. Plant them in well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist. Mulch the top of the soil to retain moisture and feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring. For more in depth post on growing Astilbes just click here.
Coral Bells
Heuchera, or coral bells, offer vibrant foliage in various colors. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support healthy growth. For more in depth post on growing Coral Bells just click here.
Japanese Painted Fern
Japanese Painted Ferns add a touch of elegance with their silvery fronds. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not water logged. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring to support new growth. For more in depth post on growing Painted Fern just click here.
Primrose
Primrose is a popular flowering plant known for its vibrant and colorful blooms. It typically features delicate, five-petaled flowers that come in a variety of shades, including yellow, pink, purple, and white. Their low-growing, rosette form makes them a perfect choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers. For more in depth post on growing Primrose just click here.
Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria, or lungwort, produce clusters of bright flowers and spotted foliage. Plant in well drained soil and place the pot in a shaded area. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support blooming. For more in depth post on growing Pulmonary just click here.
Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding Hearts produce arching stems of heart shaped flowers. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage blooms. For more in depth post on growing Bleeding Hearts just click here.
Hellebores
Hellebores, or Lenten roses, offer winter blooms in various colors. Plant in well drained soil and place the pot in a shaded area. Water regularly, making sure the soil remains moist. Fertilize in spring to support new growth and flowering. For more in depth post on growing Hellebores just click here.
Laminum or Dead Nettle
Lamium, or dead nettle, offers attractive foliage and small flowers. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support healthy growth. For more in depth post on growing Laminum just click here.
Toad Lilies
Toad Lilies produce exotic, orchid-like flowers. Plant in well drained soil and place the pot in a shaded area. Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage blooming. For more in depth post on growing Toad Lilies just click here.
Best Sun Perennials for Pots
Below are 10 Shade perennials for pots or containers and how to plant and care for them.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its fragrant flowers and foliage. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Place in a sunny location and water lightly, letting the soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support blooming. For more in depth post on growing Lavender just click here.
Salvia
Salvia produces tall spikes of flowers. Plant in well drained soil and place the pot in full sun. Water regularly, letting the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and fertilize in spring. For more in depth post on growing Salvia just click here.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis offers bright, daisy like flowers. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Place in a sunny location and water regularly, letting the soil to dry out between watering. Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming and fertilize in spring. For more in depth post on growing Coreopsis just click here.
Sedum or Stonecrop
Sedum, or stonecrop, is a drought tolerant succulent. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Place in a sunny location and water lightly, letting the soil to dry out between watering. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support growth. For more in depth post on growing Sedum just click here.
Coneflower
Echinacea, or coneflower, produces bright, daisy like flowers. Plant in well drained soil and place the pot in full sun. Water regularly, letting the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and fertilize in spring. For more in depth post on growing Coneflower just click here.
Gaillardia
Gaillardia, or blanket flower, offers bright, long lasting blooms. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Place in a sunny location and water regularly, letting the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming and fertilize in spring. For more in depth post on growing Gaillardia just click here.
Dianthus
Dianthus, or pinks, produce fragrant, colorful flowers. Plant in well drained soil and place the pot in full sun. Water regularly, letting the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and fertilize in spring. For more in depth post on growing Dianthus just click here.
Russian Sage
Russian Sage produces tall, wispy spikes of lavender blue flowers. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Place in a sunny location and water lightly, letting the soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support blooming. For more in depth post on growing Russian Sage just click here.
Daylilies
Daylilies offer a variety of colorful blooms. Plant in well drained soil and place the pot in full sun. Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooms and fertilize in spring. For more in depth post on growing Daylilies just click here.
Agastache or Hyssop
Agastache, or hyssop, produces tall spikes of colorful, fragrant flowers. Use well drained soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Place in a sunny location and water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support blooming. For more in depth post on growing Hyssop just click here.
Happy Container Gardening!
In conclusion, selecting the right perennials for your pots ensures lasting beauty and ease of care. For shaded areas, consider plants like hostas, astilbes, and heucheras, which offer lush foliage and vibrant flowers. For sunny locations, perennials like lavender, salvia, and coreopsis provide bright, continuous blooms. Proper planting and regular care, including watering, deadheading, and fertilizing, are essential for keeping these perennials healthy and thriving in your container garden. With the right care, these 20 perennials for container gardening can transform your space into a beautiful, colorful oasis that lasts year after year.
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