By Brian Minter
We are in the early days of spring now and it’s a great time to enjoy a colourful planter on the deck, patio or by your front door.
Until we get into warmer night temperatures in mid to late April when it’s safe for annuals, we need to rely on evergreen perennials to create a beautiful and long-lasting display.
Perennials need very well drained soil and by simply mixing some fine fir bark into your existing soil, or by using a good tree soil blend, you’ll provide the type of container mix they enjoy.
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My first choice for a focal point is the beautiful euphorbia family. From the yellow and green foliage of e. Ascot Rainbow, the blue leaves of e. Wulfenii and the black foliage of e. Sahara Blackbird, they are all looking great this time of year, especially because of their striking hot lime flowers. Even the white and green leaves of e. Tasmanian Tiger look pretty spectacular this time of year.
For a sharp contrast, the new growth on the ever-increasing family of heuchera varieties is just opening up now. Their foliage is spectacular: the striking copper of h. Sweet Tea, purple tones of h. Wildberry Rose, the magical lime green of h. Apple Twist and scalloped, ruffled leaves of black h. Black Pearl are really popping right now.
Smaller sizes of winter flowering heather are now in full bloom. Their wide range of colors will add the bright floral tones we need this time of year and will last for weeks. If you choose the vibrant foliage of varieties like erica Eva Gold and e. Golden Starlet, you will still have colour when the blossoms eventually fade.
Evergreen ornamental grasses add a nice spillover effect and two of my favourites are the hardy, sun-loving Sweetflag, acorus Ogon, and the sun and shade loving carex EverColor Everillo. They dance about with the slightest breeze adding a bit of life to your containers.
For a touch of early floral colour, the many new varieties of sweetly perfumed dianthus will tolerate the cold and keep flowering in warmer temperatures.
Violas provide a wide variety of colours and are especially nice in planters as their tiny blooms spill over the container edges.
Even early pots of annual white alyssum can add contrast to other colours and quickly create a carpet of white to cover pot rims.
If you need a little touch of height, cut contorted willow branches are available this time of year to pop into your containers for the ideal accent. Better yet, pick up a living one in a small container and let it grow. Not only will it work well in holiday planters next winter, it will also provide a source of cut branches for you to use in indoor arrangements for seasons to come. Remember, they come in gold and scarlet stems as well as green.
The difference a simple container can make now on your deck or patio is truly amazing. It’s a great way to lift your spirits, especially now that it’s spring and, as the season progresses, all of these perennials can go into your gardens for many years of enjoyment.
Brian Minter is an award-winning horticulturist, author and syndicated columnist from Chilliwack, B.C. He and his wife, Faye, founded Minter Gardens, a 32-acre mixed-style show garden.
Featured images via Brian Minter
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