Wellness Garden Services

Although there’s still a chill in the air here in the Panhandle, I’m all giddy to start planting my Spring Annual Containers! Here are some basic tips to make your Spring seasonal pots stand out.

Before I get into the DIY tips here, If you’re NOT a DIYer, contact me to quote having your seasonal containers installed.

I also offer delivery of everything you need to complete your pot yourself! I will deliver your soil, plants and anything else (a pot?) you will need to plant your own containers. Remember, I can get a wider selection of flowers than any big box or local nursery.

Let’s Start From the Bottom Up; Pots and Soil

There are two important notes with regards to containers; First, be sure your pot has drainage. The challenges of maintaining a container without drainage would be daunting. Next, be sure your pot is very clean to start the season. A good, stiff brush dipped in a 10% bleach solution will do the trick. This will kill off any of the nasties waiting to infect your flowers. Generally, this cleaning should be done once a year.

Aside from watering, soil is one of the most important components to your display. If you use the incorrect soil, it won’t take long for your plants to look bad or even die. Most annual flowers have very fine roots and require a very light, fluffy soil to grow in. Be sure the soil you use states ‘for containers or potting soil’ or mix up your own with plenty of fillers. Perlite improves drainage and aeration in soil, while vermiculite retains moisture and nutrients, making it better for plants that need more water. Feel free to mix a bit of both into your soil.

Design Techniques

There’s more than one option when it comes to designing pots. If you have the space, multiple containers can intensify a display. However, if you only have room for one pot, no worries, your arrangement will still be stunning.

A quick note on hanging baskets… Either of the following techniques will work for you. You just need to determine your space allotments and amount of spiller you’d like, ‘cuz ain’t hanging baskets all about the spiller?!?

Single Container Displays

This technique will require a larger pot that can hold at least 3-5 plants. The size of plants you buy can influence this. It’s better to buy the annuals in smaller containers 4″-6″ or the 6 piece trays. Note! These flowers will not grow too much bigger than they are upon purchase, so don’t leave space for them to ‘grow in’, you’ll want these tight in the pot. If you end up having some space where you see the soil and don’t want to, add a handful of Spanish moss. It can give give your pot more texture, color and dimension.

For a well-presented display, all you need to remember is: Thriller, Filler & Spiller! The Thriller is that one large plant that is generally in the center and taller than the rest. With Spring pots, many times this is achieved with decorative sticks, as Spring plants aren’t known for their height. Filler are those mid-range sized plants, often of ‘fatter or fuller’ stature. Spiller is just that, plants that hang over the edge of the pot.

Multiple Container Displays

This technique uses multiple pots with a single plant in each of them. This can be an easier route to go if you have the space, can’t lift large pots, are on a budget, only have small pots available, or just like changing your design, and moving your pots around.

You can also rotate Summer annuals into the containers much easier as the Spring flowers start to fade. This will create a great transition collection during those in-between season times.

Spring Annuals + Others:

• Petunias
• Tulips
• Hyacinths
• Primrose
• Cyclamen
• Hydrangea
• Muscari
• Nemesia
• Snap Dragons
• Ranunculus
• Helleborus
• Sweet Alyssum
• Viola
• Ivy
• Diascia
• Coral Bells
• Swiss Chard

Spring Annual Container Maintenance

Although Spring annual flower containers are pretty easy to maintain, here are some important key things to note:

• FERTILIZATION: To increase flowering, you need to choose the correct fertilizer. A fertilizer needs to be phosphorus-rich for maximizing flower bud formation, so you’ll be looking for a fertilizer with a high number in the middle slot such as, 5-30-0, 0-20-5 or 10-20-5. Along with high phosphorus counts, you’ll want a slow-release version so you don’t burn your plants out. These types of fertilizers are usually granular, can be sprinkled in after planting, and will last the whole season.
• WATERING: Knowing whether your containers need water can be difficult during the cooler months. Many times it rains during the evening or enough dew can form to satisfy the plant’s needs. One of the biggest mistakes I see is over watering. An over watered plant can exhibit the same droopy leaves of an under watered one. Test the soil by sticking your finger in or use a chopstick to poke the soil. If no soil adheres to your finger or stick (meaning the soil is dry), go ahead and water your pot. When watering, be sure to thoroughly saturate the whole container, not just a splash.
• DEADHEADING: When you see a bloom has faded, carefully pinch or cut it off. This will prevent the plant from putting energy into creating a seed and forcing the plant to produce more blooms.

PRO TIP: Well watered Spring annual containers allow plants to live through a nightly frost. However if you need to cover it, use a natural fabric, not plastic!!

These flowers will last until the weather turns hot & then it’s time to switch over to your Summer display. I’ll post tips closer to that time!

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