It's getting hot out there! So take out all your pots. It's time to refresh those container gardens of yours with a pop of color. Need a little help deciding what colorful plants will work best for your containers?
Petunias
Petunias are a no-brainer when it comes to summer container gardening in a sunny area. No matter what color-scheme you're aiming for, you'll be sure to find just the right hue for you with the many varieties that have been cultivated over the years. If you're looking for something that trails out of the pot, be sure to check out the Wave variety!
Care: Petunias can tolerate heat but not during the dog days of summer drought. Water about once a week and more often as the temperatures rise. Fertilize once a month & dead-head as needed.
Impatiens
Find it hard to brighten up those shady places in the backyard? Impatiens will do the trick! You'll find them in shades of white, red, peach and all shades of pink.
Love the look but don't have much shade? Try New Guinea Impatiens! They love the sun as long as it's not too direct in the summer months.
Care: The closer you space your impatiens, the taller they'll grow. Keep this in mind when planting. Water about once a week in the Spring and more often in the Summer. Keep a close eye out as temperatures heat up. If you begin to notice leaves falling off of your impatiens, this is a sign that they're not getting enough water. Fertilize once a month.
Geraniums
Geraniums are an easy-to-grow Southern staple and they're perfect for window boxes and hanging baskets. They're great for areas of the yard that recieve partial to full sun.
Care: Geraniums do best when they receive about 6-8 hours of sunlight. Water about once a week in Spring and more often as temperatures rise. Remember that hanging baskets dry out very quickly! So water yours more often than you would if they're in a pot on the ground. Fertilize about once a month.
Coleus
Ok. So this one doesn't have much of a booming bloom. But Coleus is one of our favorite plants to add both height and color to container gardens at the same time! Choose from purples, reds, greens or a mix of colors to add a real thrill to your pots.
Care: Pinch shoots for bushier growth. Water about once a week. Fertilize as needed.
Verbena
We love verbena for three reasons: 1) They bloom all summer 2)They come in hundreds colors 3)They attract butterflies. Enough said?
Care: Water often after planting. Once established, water only when soil is dry. Be sure to dead-head to keep your verbena blooming all summer long.
Interested in finding out more about container gardening? Register for our Container Gardening Workshop on April 16!