A short time ago you may have read an article about winter container gardening. Today, I will introduce you to some plants that are perfect starters for the winter containers. Some you may have heard of. Others may be new to you. Please feel free to throw in your suggestions, as well.
Pansies - numerous cultivars available. Recent trials performed by the University of FL identified 'best of class' cultivars pictured at http://vtgcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/PansyVTphotos.pdf
Snapdragons - numerous cultivars available including the 'Rocket' series, 'Candy Corn', 'Frosted Sunset', 'Black Prince', and 'Night & Day'. This one is a lot of fun to grow!
Dusty miller - woolly, silvery-gray foliage with a low, mound-like habit
Johnny jump ups - numerous cultivars including: 'Helen Mount' (prolific tiny flowers of purple, lavender and yellow, the traditional Johnny jump up). 'Sorbet' series includes 'Lemon Chiffon', 'Blueberry Cream', 'Yellow Frost', 'Blackberry Cream' and 'Purple Duet'-very prolific blooming in soft 
pastels.
Ornamental cabbage and kale - numerous cultivars including 'Red Bor' (deep purple ruffled leaves that can reach 3feet. -One of the few winter annuals with height in the landscape.) 'Peacock Red' and 'Peacock White' (large open plants up to 2 feet across with leaves shaped like abstract feathers. 'Red Feather' and 'White Feather' (similar to 'Peacock Red' and 'Peacock White' with less serrated foliage. 'Nagoya Red' and 'Nagoya White' (form tight balls of heavily ruffled foliage.) 'Osaka Pink', 'Osaka White' and 'Osaka Red' (smooth, flat leaves. The center rosettes turn bright purple, pink or white while the bottom half of their foliage remains green.)
These are just a few examples. I will be posting more winter growing ideas shortly. I hope you will post your suggestions, and winter growing tips.
1 comment:
I really like this post. I have been trying to decide what to do with my containers for the winter. I want to create beauty all year long. I like to see a pop of color all the time. As well as the benefit of eating some of my design. :-)
Hmm, I knew about the pansies, and snapdragons but had not considered "dusty miller". I would also consider ivy and ornamental grass as well.
You mentioned other articles - it would be nice if you linked them, so they would be only a click away.
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