I love planter boxes! They offer the opportunity to garden in a box, to move or change an entire landscape on a whim. But, I have to admit that it takes time and money to replant all my containers twice a year – once in spring and again in the fall. So, I had the “brilliant” idea of planting perennials in containers and sitting back in the rocking chair to watch them grow and thrive year after year.
Needless to say, it didn’t work out quite as I had hoped and expected. For one thing, duh…., almost all perennials go dormant for at least part of the year, meaning my miniature landscapes looked a little barren for months on end. For another thing, the perennials I put into these boxes of rich, delicious potting soil were so extremely happy that they dug down deep and produced a root system that was only confined by the shape of the container. But, with no place else to grow, their happiness hit a wall and they began to languish.
Nevertheless, I have had good success by adding just a few perennials to the annuals in my containers. After 2 or 3 years, ajuga now spills over the containers at the back door. They take up very little actual planting space and offer a rich, living adornment for the container. In addition, I planted some creeping jenny which also drapes and spills over the side. Though Japanese Painted Fern is only green and growing for 8 months of the year, I can plant the remainder of the container with seasonal annuals that cover up any bare spots. This summer I used a combination of green and reddish coleus. When cool weather comes again (can’t wait!!) I’ll probably put in some sort of violas or pansies. Or maybe some parsley!
The other perennial that I have used quite successfully is a variegated ivy, that does stay green all year. Though fairly invasive (but not as invasive as its cousin, English ivy,) the variegated ivy offers a beautiful border for the large pots on the front porch. As it sends out long runners, I have simply buried these in the next pot and let them root.
The most ridiculous perennial I have in a pot is a lone, scraggly pine. It appeared as a volunteer three years ago and looked so cute I just let it stay. This year, it began to grow. It’s not very appealing, it will soon outgrow the space. I know I have to get rid of it but by now it’s kind of like a gangly adolescent living at my back door. I know I have to cut those apron strings. Someday. Just not yet.