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By Robert R. Westerfield
University of
Georgia
There’s no better way to accent a deck, patio or porch than with
annuals in containers. The endless variety of colors available
for sunny spots, shady spots and spots in-between is almost
limitless.
But before you invest in plants, look at the most important
contributors to success: site selection, soil preparation and
plant selection.
Other factors such as watering, fertilizing and controlling pests
are certainly important. But most failures with annuals in the
landscape or containers are due to poor choices of site, soil or
plants.
Where to start
Look first at your site. Is it shady all day, shady during the
heat of the day, full sun only in the morning, full sun only in
the afternoon or full sun all day? This is important to know.
You’ll need to base your plant selection on it.
Go out at different times of the day to assess the amount of
sunlight an area gets. Some plants can grow in varying amounts of
sunlight. Others will quickly decline in the wrong exposure.
Soil preparation is critical, too. When you look at a sickly
container plant, there’s a 90-percent chance the problem is due
to something happening at the root level. Usually it is due to a
poor soil mix or overwatering the plant.
Buy a quality container potting mix for plants, free from disease
or weed seed. Be sure to use a container large enough that the
roots can expand through the potting soil.
Drainage
Another critical factor is good drainage. Be careful of those
containers that have catch basins for excess water. They’re nice
in theory but create root-rot problems. If you use these, it’s a
good idea to tilt the container after a few minutes after
watering and drain out the excess water.
You’ll really be excited about plant performance when you have a
good, healthy root system.
Finally, be sure you select the right plant. You know your site,
so this job should be relatively easy.
Impatiens love shade. Annual Vinca loves full sun. Salvia loves
about a half day of full sun. Petunias like sun but perform best
in the spring and fall, not during the hot summer. The list goes
on and on.
The variety tag in bedding plant trays is a good place to start
looking for different flowers’ light requirements.
Your county University of Georgia Extension Service office is
another good place to look. Ask for a copy of “Flowering Annuals
for Georgia Gardens” and “Container Gardening.”
(Bob Westerfield is an Extension Service consumer
horticulturist with the University of Georgia College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)
