When it comes to selecting container plants capable of thriving in a refined environment an almost endless list could be composed as there are so many varieties to choose from.
Perhaps most if not all of the cultivars as listed in perennials for trough, alpine gardens, rock gardens and rock walls would perform very well.
Be sure to check out our recommended list of container plants below.
Annuals should be a part of almost all container gardens as their ability to produce blooms all through the growing season is an outstanding trait.
Or your annual(s) of choice may feature beautifully colored foliage and be graced with blooms of contrasting or in shades of complementary colors.
When it comes to woody ornamentals and conifers one has to be a little careful in making selections as not all will be hardy in containers which expose their root systems to rapid temperature changes which is especially true during the winter months.
In our zone 6b I have had good results over the years with all of the Japanese Yews, several varieties of Juniper have proven very hardy.
When it comes to Junipers I am fond of a variety named Hollywood which is a beautiful irregular growing upright form.
Japanese Maples prosper when planted in containers and as with all woody ornamentals should be installed in large pots that will provide improved winter protection.
The following are several examples of container plants that Bob and his wife and my wife and I have selected plants for several of our containers this year.
Both families decided to go with all annuals this year.
Bob choose Blood Red Sun Coleus to line his drive with and having been wise selected all large plants which were very attractive upon completion of the potting process.
My wife decided to use all twenty four inch containers this year and developed a nice combination of annuals which includes the following:
Tropical Orange Hibiscus
Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'
Molten Lava Oxalis
Blue Wonder
And since these were potted to be grown in full sun she then finished them off with a sun loving Caladium called White Wave.
Honestly I never touch our containers as my wife does a much better job than I am capable of.
I’ll tackle the bed plantings but planter boxes, urns and other containers are best left to her quality touch.
The following is a list of some outstanding container plants. These plants can also be planted in alpine gardens and rock walls. Note: * Indicates especially good in rock walls.
Acorus species (Sweet Flag)
Aethionema coridifolium
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Alchemilla alpina*, saxatilis
Allium*
Alyssum*
Amorpha nana (Fragrant False Indigo)
Anacampseros*
Anacyclus (Mt. Atlas Daisy)
Anemone (Pulsatilla)
Anemonella (Rue Anemone)
Antennaria*
Aquilegia species (Columbine)
Arabis species* (Rock Cress)
Arenaria* (Sandwort)
Armeria (Thrift, Sea Pink)
Artemisia species (Wormwood)
Aruncus (Goatsbeard)
Aster species
Aubrieta species*
Aurinia saxatilis* (Basket of Gold, Gold Dust)
Bukniczia (Aeonopsis)
Campanula species* (Bellflower)
Centaurea species
Cerastium species*
Ceratostigma* (Plumbago, Leadwort)
Chasmatophyllum (Hardy Tiger's Jaws)
Chiastophyllum
Coryphantha (Ball, Pincushion Cactus)Dalea species (Prairie Clover)
