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Re: Growing perennials in pots???

Hi Nan!

>I am interested in what perennials people grow in pots --
>
>*  What are most successful perennials to grow in pots in your region

I grow all varieties of perennial herbs in pots, as well as scented
geraniums, and five potted roses.  Many of my pots are mixed--several
varieties of plants in one large pot.  My largest potted plants are a 4
foot rosemary and a 5 foot tall bay tree, I also have a collection of 12
different mints in 16 inch pots that live under the back eave of my house.
All my other potted plants live out on my back deck, year round.
Altogether I have about 50 pots of various sizes (smallest are 8 inches,
largest are 2+feet).
>
>*  What kinds of pots do you use and why

I began using plastic (fake terracotta) because I grow a lot of stuff in
pots and they were cheap.  Over the last few years, I have begun to
accumulate more pottery (my best buy was a $160 pot (about 2+feet across
and 2+ feet high) that had a two inch chip out of the rim.  I got it for
$34!  I have a four foot rosemary in it, and you don't even see the chip.
I like the look of pottery better, and will continue to collect it and
replace the plastic.
>
>*  What are special considerations for growing perennials in pots (as
>opposed to annuals)
>
For me, they need to be relatively hardy for my area (I don't have a
greenhouse).  If it looks like we will get a series of night freezes
(happens about once or twice a year), I'll move the smaller pots into the
garage.  The big plants, mentioned above, stay outside, although they are
grouped together by the sliding doors and covered by blankets during
freezing nights.

>*  How do you select the perennials for the pots

I look for healthy plants, but I don't choose dwarf varieties or anything.
>
>*  What soil and fertilizers do you use

I use a good potting soil from a local nursery, with some compost, alfalfa
and cottonseed meal thrown in.  I fertilize with dilute Miracle Grow, and
top dress any plants I don't repot each year with a fertilizer mix I make
up from compost, manure (where appropriate; it can't be used with mints,
for example) cottonseed and alfalfa meal).
>
>*  How often/when do you fertilize

Every couple of weeks during the growing season.
>
>*  WHY do you choose to grow perennials in pots (as opposed to in the ground)

A couple of reasons.  First, I wanted an herb garden outside my kitchen
door, and this was the only way to get it.  Second, I am in this house on a
medium term basis, and wanted to be able to move my collection when I buy
my dream property.  Third, I have a deck that needed some life, and the
pots do it. Fourth, I also use pots to fill in areas where planting in the
ground is not practical (under the eaves, right by the house) or where
holes come up in my in-ground beds.
>
>*  Do the perennials last in pots as long as they do in the ground?  Are
>there other differences in the ways they grow?

Well...I've only been doing this for three years, but I have had good luck
with plants coming back each year, and follow the same schedule of
renewing, doing cutting,s etc., as I would with in-ground plants.  The
potted plants don't get as large as in-ground plants in many cases
(although in my case, that is as much from taking cuttings and harvesting
as anything else).  Potted plants also need to be watered more frequently
in hot weather, and need more routine care (like fertilizing and repotting)
than in ground plants.
>
>Thanks for the input!

You're welcome!  I'll be interested to see other's replies.
>
>Nan
>
>
>+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
>Nan Sterman, "gardening addict"
>Olivenhain, California
>Sunset Zone 24, USDA Zone 10b or 11
>+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
>So goes an old chinese proverb:
>         If you want to be happy for a few hours, get drunk;
>         If you want to be happy for a week-end get married;
>         If you want to be happy for a week, barbeque a pig;
>         If you want to be happy all your life long become a gardener

Kari

Kari Whittenberger-Keith
Research and Faculty Development
University of Oregon
(541)346-3196
kariwk@oregon.uoregon.edu


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