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Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 86: Favorite Container Plants

These are selections that never let us down when we put them in pots

Video by Danielle Sherry and Steve Aitken. Edited by Kara Demos.

Spring has long ago sprung, and now that all the pruning, dividing, and mulching is done, we’re ready to plant up our containers. Like many of you, we are tempted to try something new every year and sometimes end up with a plant that is worthwhile. But we always make sure to incorporate a few tried-and-true container plants. These are selections that never let us down, and if you were to show up on our doorstep tomorrow, you’d likely see them filling in our pots. (Just call ahead—we want to be sure to pick up a little bit before your arrival.) We’ve got fillers, thrillers, and even some spillers on the list, so be sure to listen for some surefire options.

Expert testimony: Riz Reyes, a horticulturist and floral designer based in Seattle

 

Steve’s Plants

‘Moss Curled’ parsley (Petroselinum crispum ‘Moss Curled’, Zones 5–8)

Alligator Tears® coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides cv., Zones 10–11)

‘Bengal Tiger’ canna (Canna ‘Bengal Tiger’, Zones 7b–10)

‘Silver Falls’ dichondra (Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’, Zones 10–11)

‘Moss Curled’ parsley
‘Moss Curled’ parsley

Alligator Tears® coleus
Alligator Tears® coleus

‘Bengal Tiger’ canna
‘Bengal Tiger’ canna

‘Silver Falls’ dichondra
‘Silver Falls’ dichondra

Danielle’s Plants

‘Escargot’ begonia (Begonia ‘Escargot’, Zones 10–11)

Archangel Series™ summer snapdragon (Angelonia angustifolia cvs., annual)

Red Abyssinian banana (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’, Zones 10–11)

Variegated baby sun rose (Aptenia cordifolia ‘Variegata’ syn. Mesembryanthemum cordifolium, Zones 10–11)

'Escargot' begonia
‘Escargot’ begonia

Archangel™ Dark Purple summer snapdragon
Archangel™ Dark Purple summer snapdragon

Red Abyssinian banana
Red Abyssinian banana

Variegated baby sun rose
Variegated baby sun rose (front of post)

Expert’s Testimony

Riz Reyes is a horticulturist and floral designer based in Seattle.

‘Kiwi Fern’ coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘Kiwi Fern’, Zones 10–11)

Aeonium (Aeonium spp. and cvs., Zones 9–11)

Shearer’s felt fern (Pyrrosia sheareri, Zones 7–10)

‘Dancing Queen’ hosta (Hosta ‘Dancing Queen’, Zones 3–8)

'Kiwi Fern' coleus
‘Kiwi Fern’ coleus. Photo: Riz Reyes

Aeonium behind a coleus
Aeonium (background). Photo: Riz Reyes

Shearer's felt fern
Shearer’s felt fern. Photo: Riz Reyes

‘Dancing Queen’ hosta
‘Dancing Queen’ hosta. Photo: Riz Reyes
Previous: Container Designs Without Annuals Next: How to Grow Lotus in Containers
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Comments

  1. Caro_S122 05/19/2021

    Loved the podcast but the expert segment was so loud with what sounded like traffic noise that I had to quit listening. Perhaps he could have done his segment inside. Just a thought.

  2. Mle214 10/13/2021

    handymaninreddingca.com/

    Thank you for sharing ideas about container plants. more power to you guys. thanks.

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