Heatwave containers

Already the sad mail is coming in about container failure, pots that poop out, window box bombs. Menno T. starts "I have a hose," (ok not as stirring as "I have a dream"), "I have watered. I have fertilized, plants did not do well. Deck faces west. Full sun."

But the telling sentence is this, " I randomly purchased annuals."

Well his random purchases included impatiens and periwinkle, which like some shade and would be unwell with a western exposure. Some of his flower choices were right, like nasturtiums and bidens which like full sun.

But there is no ducking the responsibility when you have plants in pots. You must water, sometimes twice a day, you should fertilize, maybe every other week, you should trim and deadhead to encourage strong growth, you should use good potting soil, and you should choose the right plants for the right pots.

And use BIG pots, they don't dry out as fast, and they allow more room for roots.

Fernlea flowers, a Canadian grower of potted plants, has sample container plans. Or bumble into a garden centre and start abrsorbing annual knowledge.

I recently stopped at Midway Gardens in Jordan and was awestruck at the beautiful annuals. Owner Bill Cole was busier than a one-armed oyster shucker.

"These are my nuclear pots," he said, pointing to giant containers of mixed annuals. "Put them on the cement deck next to a pool and they do just fine in the sun and heat."

Cole's nuclear recipe included the following annuals: pentas, angelonia, portulaca and Mexican heather.

"I made up 600 containers this year. They all sold," says Cole.

He's sweet on begonias too, the Dragon Wings type and Non-Stop begonias. The Non-Stops, with lovely layered flowers, have a bushy, sturdy habit and are more tolerant of sun. The colours are rich and glowing.

A different spin on containers for full sun is offered by Marjorie Mason, of Mason-Hogue Gardens in Uxbridge (905-649-3532).

"Why not make a water garden, or bog in a pot, says Mason. Get containers with no holes, and fill with water or soil, all you have to do is top them up occasionally."

The bog garden idea sounded intriguing, fill the pot with marginal water plants like Siberian iris, mimulus, astilbe and juncus (rush), keep it soggy which is easy to do in a pot without holes, and forget any demanding chores. "You could also use elephant ears and cannas," says Hogue, "and enjoy a tropical look."

For gardeners who prefer more traditional perennials in containers, Mason recommends ornamental grasses for hot, dry locations. "I really like the sedges, especially ones with bronze colour."

Succulents with their ability to store water, are perfect for pots too according to Mason, hens and chicks, jade plants, echeveria are all drought tolerant. "Mulch the pots with gravel," says Mason, "It retains moisture and reflects heat."

Mason and son Jeff have just potscaped a patio at their Uxbridge nursery, and offer a full range of seminars for the passionate and pessimistic. "We have alpine troughs, plants for xeriscaping (low water consumption), many different ideas for pots," says Mason.

So help is abundant for parched planters, you just have to think outside the pot.