I love having New Zealand flax . They also make ideal tall plants for pots. For example, if you garden in Zone 6, the plant should be hardy to Zone 5 or colder. Botanical Name: Musa basjoo. For extra showy blooms, go for a double begonia variety, such as the aptly named Roseform. Dianthus flowers 8. Container gardeners in colder climates can also keep hardy winter plants, but the selection is more limited. Because blooms and color are minimal in winter be bold with form and texture. 8. 1. Kaffir Lilies, also known as Flame Lillies, are a fun choice for a winter garden, as they have a tropical feel but don't need a tropical climate to thrive. Sedum 8. Zone 6 is a pretty medium climate in the United States and winter temperatures don't usually go below 0 to -10 degrees F. (-18 to -23 C.). Onions. It has dark green, almost black foliage and interesting layered branches that give way to a really neat loose habit. Each plant will grow to around 6in (15cm), depending on variety. Peach Gigantum, Skyhawk, and Stuttgart are the best varieties for cold climates. Spherical habit with a diameter of up to 80 cm. Hens and chicks 12. They twine and curl in an appealing manner. The soil will absorb water through the drainage holes. Arborvitae; Daffodil 'February Gold', species crocus . In zone 6 you also have a longer growing season in which to enjoy your plants. Look for semi-hardy or hardy plants for your container garden. Complemented by a setting of glossy foliage, and with berries most often seen in either red or white, these are one of the most versatile winter container plants. To help your perennials rest through the freeze/thaw cycle, trim back dead foliage and cover with mulch for insulation. "If you live in Zone 6, pick plants for containers that are marked zone 4 . Exposure: Part sun. Violas and pansies. . And really almost anything goes, plant-wiseas long as it looks good in winter. Cheerful winter containers will keep your spirits high even as temperatures plummet. Planted in a large container, it can make an impressive and formal statement flanking a front entryway. Tape the top of the flat down to the bottom with duct tape or packing tape. Plants growing in containers get colder in the winter than those growing in the ground because they are far less insulated. Grow the garden you've always wanted without fear of your plants being damaged or destroyed when winter weather rolls around. Not only are they multi-seasonal plants, but they also have a lengthy bloom time. Standard shrubs are ideal plants to grow in containers, and can be used to create a big impact. Great low-maintenance standard shrubs for outdoor pots include bay, photinia, wisteria, holly and ornamental cherries. In this article, I'll highlight 23 of my favorite winter container garden ideas. The key to creating a beautiful winter container display is to choose hardy outdoor plants for pots, and get the location right for those specific plants. However, a half whiskey barrel will limit a . Both of these are evergreen, hold their leaves all year, and can be kept down to a manageable size for containers. Winter Hardy Container Plants. Oxalis is a mounding plant that grows 12-18 inches high, so it's great for filling out a container. And really almost anything goes, plant-wiseas long as it looks good in winter. USDA Zones: 7-11. Erigeon ssp. 'Golden Sword' yucca ( Yucca filamentosa 'Golden Sword', Zones 4-11) 4. Choose hardy plants and materials that will survive frigid temperatures. Winter hardy perennials will survive the cold temperatures after a dormant period, reviving in the spring and summer. In winter, when the bergenia has died back, stems from yellow and redtwig dogwoods add to the yucca's colorful display. Winter hardy annuals will last longer when the cold weather hits but will eventually die back. It is hardy in zones 2-7, prefers full sun, and is suitable for a large portion of climates. An essential component of aquatic ecosystems, including your garden pond, are plants! This is a great plant in the cool fall and winter season, especially for Halloween decorations. 15. Up to 6' tall and 4' wide; can be kept smaller in pots. With a large array of hues and shapes, they add bright color and visual interest to winter containers, which often lean on familiar deep green foliage like that of holly or boxwood. Yucca and bergenia are the core plants in this container, shining in summer and fall. RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT. Plant one type of seeds in each container/flat. Plant them on their own in a hanging basket or in a mixed container. Taking into account the severity of winter where you live or how much sun your container will receive will help you decide what to plant. Pansies - In zones six and up, pansies should survive the entire winter, and provide plenty of blooms during that time as well. Kent Richards November 11, 2008, 10:55 pm. Hardiness: begonias are not cold hardy; most varieties will need USDA zone 9 to 11, some, like 'Garden Angel Silver' will adapt to zones 7 to 11. Varieties to try: Dragon Wing, Santa Cruz, or Roseform. Dianthus ssp. They're quite bold and attractive in the summer and turn beautiful colors in the fall. To grow a container plant to this size would require a container at least the size of a full whiskey barrel. It comes in something almost like black or burgundy - so very bold - and is hardy to 15 degrees F. However, you can also bring it inside to overwinter if you want. Zone 6 gardeners can enjoy a nice mix of cold climate loving plants, as well as some warmer climate loving plants. It looks amazing growing in pots. Plant it in a large pot with high-quality soil, and it should live in your container garden for many years. Credit: Kevin Miyazaki. This plant features large, glossy leaves that grow 10 to 20 inches long and 6 to 8 inches wide. Climate Boxwood is the most versatile shrub, it grows almost everywhere in all the continents. The 12 best winter plants 1. Emerald green arborvitae 10. For this holiday container arrangement, fresh sprays of Deodar cedar create a crown of green around the rim. Some other plants to consider might be: Arborvitae - classic greenery, ease of care, and upright form Yew - decorated with red berries, easy to shear, hardy Boxwood - elegant, tough, many forms Minimum Cold Tolerance: 10 F or -12 C. Cannas can be grown in pots and on the ground easily, and they are probably the easiest tropical plants that you can grow. You could plant them in a temporary location in the garden just for the winter . The following can also be used: forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), large-flowered bedding daisies (Bellis perennis), wallflowers (Erysimium), Cyclamen persicum (not hardy but will usually last until . If you're looking to plant a winter container that's thrifty and low-effort, but that also looks amazing, you . The result is a colorful explosion dynamic enough to brighten the grayest of winter days. That's the case with winter-hardy perennials chosen for your growing region. Armeria. Leaves green to gray, smooth, stiff, curved upwards. In the spring, the bergenia produces 14-inch-long stalks adorned with pink flowers that work well as cut flowers. 2.1 Less Is More. Heuchera 13. We offer a wonderful selection of cold-hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, and fruit trees that are well-suited for even the chilliest USDA planting zone. Perennials are known to last the winter, resting until the warm weather returns. Boxwood 9. Oxalis is a mounding plant that grows 12-18 inches high, so it's great for filling out a container. None is reliably hardy below 40F, but during winter they can be held in semi-dormancy in a basement or a garage attached to a house if you don't have a greenhouse. Also known as Japanese Andromeda and Flame of the Forest, Lily of the Valley is a beautiful evergreen shrub that features dark green foliage that will turn different hues in the spring months, depending upon the specific cultivar that is preferred. You just need to choose the right one for your growing zone. Boxwood. Just some of the interesting evergreens of this type to grow in pots include: Ajuga. Sure, looking out the window in winter at a drab, snow-covered garden can feel disheartening. MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M. Planting in a container also gives you the ability to bring it indoors for winter and enjoy it year-round. Plant the bulbs in fall in well-drained soil, and for best results, position the containers in full sun. Winter bedding plants: these mainly flower in spring, but cyclamen, winter-flowering pansy, viola, primula and polyanthus will flower intermittently during mild spells in winter. Erica carnea 4. 10. Compact and small in stature, Gaultheria procumbens boasts beautiful berries in winter time. Check occasionally, and when the soil is saturated, lift the container out and place it in the sink or in another empty pan. For cold but mild climates, try growing some of these frost-tolerant plants in your container garden: 1. A tropical plant won't survive the winter in Zone 5 just because you buried it in the ground. Find a spot in the house that is warm and sunny, then bring your tropical hibiscus indoors before the first frost. Tender/borderline hardy plants that are in containers can be whisked away to a protected spot when the inevitable cold snap comes along. Grevillea Victoriae. There are also plenty of other herbaceous perennials to consider growing in pots in a container garden. Be sure to choose a frost-resistant container to plant in. The general rule of thumb for container-plant survival through the winter is that the plant should be hardy to two zones colder than your USDA Hardiness Zone. If you bring plants before the cold season starts, plants will continue to flower during the early course of winter. Kale - Once hardened by cool night temperatures, Kale plants can survive most winters. Creeping Jenny 7. Perennial (Winter Hardy) Water Lily Cultivars can survive winter in almost any location properly planted many weeks before the first frost and below where ice will form in the pond. 11. Creating an eye-catching and spirit-lifting winter container garden can be quick and easy. Tiny seeds are sprinkled onto the surface and patted down. I absolutely love this dwarf tree. Step 3: Pest removal. The easiest and cleanest way is to set the container in a pan of water for an hour or two. . Calendula flowers 6. 'Ivory Tower' Japanese holly ( Ilex crenata 'Ivory Tower', Zones 5-7) 3. Place the planted flat outdoors, exposed to . I routinely winter over perennials in containers by simply heeling the containers into the ground. Most containerized perennials and woody nursery stock held over winter need protection from cold. The evergreen Skyrocket Juniper, reaches a narrow 12-15 feet when fully grown. . There are a few things to remember when planning which plants to plant. However, being a warm weather loving plant, it will not survive a harsh, cold winter. In addition to root hardiness, factors such as soil moisture, temperature fluctuations, and root development in the container also . When the weather begins to turn cold you will need to take some precautions to ensure a healthy coleus in the spring. Half- or semi-hardy plants withstand light frosts (29 to 33 F) without damage; hardy plants can take a hard freeze (25 to 28 F). If you choose cold-hardy plants that are able to withstand the weather conditions in your area, winter container gardening is possible in many gardening zones. Cold Hardy Container Plants for Fall and Winter - Gardening Tips top www.rootwell.com. Gaultheria procumbens 5. Blue Star Juniper Tree Also consider adding vegetables and herbs to your containers. Boxwood 3. For a winter crop, sow the seeds indoors in spring and in midsummer, transplant the seedlings outside in rich soil in partial sun. They yield a harvest while adding color to winter scenery. 'Elegantissima' redtwig dogwood ( Cornus alba 'Elegantissima', Zones 2-8) 2. USDA Zones 5 - 11. Container gardening in the winter is a good way to have year-round color and foliage. Perennials. 13. As the weather worsens, the wild white rose feeds off of it and produces large, round, white flowers with lots of deep green foliage. This plant combination contrasts vertical, round and cascading elements. These come in both annual and perennial varieties, with a good selection of edible and ornamental. Light exposure: partial shade or full shade.