Containers

From California Natives Wiki

NATIVE PLANTS FOR CONTAINER GARDENS

Many native plants can be grown as outdoor container plants. Keep in mind that even drought-tolerant natives need regular water in containers and do best with some protection from hot midday sun. Keep in mind that the pot is not a plant's natural environment. Like an astronaut in space, special care and consideration is needed to keep them alive.

Grasses/Rushes/Sedges

Carex species (Sedges) some species have a tufted look, others are more upright. All like water and some shade.

Equisetum hyemale (Horsetail) shade and water-loving, upright and modern looking, good in planters against blank walls

Festuca species and cultivars (Fescue) blue-green cultivars are especially nice, such as ‘Stony Creek’ and ‘Muse Meadow’

Juncus species (Wiregrass) very upright and structural. Good for a modern look.

Leymus ‘Canyon Prince’ (Giant Wild Rye) ornamental grass with blue-green leaves.

Muhlenbergia rigens (Deergrass) ornamental bunchgrass with a dramatic spray of seedheads

Cacti and Succulents (drought-tolerant)

Agave shawii (Shaw’s Agave), A. desertii (Desert Agave) beautiful agaves, good in full sun

Dudleya species, all do well in containers with minimal water and care

Opuntia species (Cholla) very spiny cactus, good in full sun

Sedum (Stonecrop) best in part sun or shade

Yucca whipplei (Chaparral Yucca) placement is key! Leaves are sharply pointed --best placed away from paths and doorways.

Perennials and Small Shrubs

Armeria maritima (Sea Thrift) does best in part shade. Adorable pink pom-pom flowers!

Berberis repens (Creeping Barberry) attractive green, purple and red tinged foliage

Calliandra (Fairyduster) desert plant with red or pink bottlebrush-like flowers

Ceanothus ‘Diamond Heights’ lovely variegated foliage and trailing habit

Epilobium species (Fuchsia) a fall bloomer with red flowers loved by hummingbirds

Erigeron (Seaside Daisy) sweet daisy-like flowers year-round

Eriogonum arborescens (Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat), E. crocatum (Conejo Buckwheat)

Heuchera (Coral Bells) good for small containers, does best in shade

Iris does best in part sun to shade

Penstemon species, does well in full to part sun, very showy in spring

Salvia species (Sage) this fragrant native grows quickly and blooms in spring

Symphoricarpos (Snowberry) a deciduous perennial with ornamental white berries in summer

Verbena lilacina (Lilac Verbena) easy to grow, attracts butterflies and blooms almost year-round!

Plants that hang or trail over containers

Arctostaphylos groundcovers, there are many to choose from, all have the characteristic red-brown bark

Epilobium canum ssp. canum (Hoary Fuchsia) good for hanging baskets--food for hummingbirds!

Eriogonum arborescens, E. ‘Theodore Payne’ (Buckwheat) good for full sun and butterflies

Salvia ‘Terra Seca’, S. ‘Green Carpet’ (Sages) fragrant low-growing cultivars

Sequoia ‘Nana Pendula’ unusual trailing form of Coast Redwood. Does best in shade.

Large Shrubs and Trees

Arctostaphylos shrub varieties (Manzanita) slow-growing and sculptural

Berberis aquifolium (Oregon Grape) does best in part shade, slow-growing

Calocedrus decurrens (Incense Cedar) fragrant evergreen tree

Cercis occidentalis (Western Redbud) deciduous tree with showy spring flowers

Cupressus species (Cypress) fast-growing evergreen tree

Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon) large shrub with showy red berries in winter

Myrica californica (Pacific Wax Myrtle) large shrub with fragrant leaves

Rhamnus californica and cultivars (Coffeeberry) nice evergreen shrub, best in part shade

KEEPING CONTAINER PLANTS HAPPY

THE POT: Glazed ceramic, metal, thick clay and plastic pots retain much more water than traditional terra cotta and require less water. Terra cotta pots are excellent because they allow plants to “breathe” and because they help prevent overwatering. Remember that they can dry out very quickly, especially in the heat of summer. For full-sun locations, avoid dark-colored or metal pots that can heat up and damage roots.

THE SOIL: Choose a potting mix that is friable and drains quickly, such as a “cactus mix”. Avoid using your own garden soil, except in small quantities added to packaged soil mix. Make sure that your mix has at least 25-30% by volume of perlite, a light mineral that aids drainage. Small rocks and/or horticultural sand (NOT builder’s sand) also improve drainage.

THE WATER: Container plants grow best when they are watered regularly (except for cacti and succulents, which generally prefer less water). Aim to keep the soil barely to slightly moist at all times, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Never allow the soil to entirely dry out, even on plants that need no summer water in the wild. If soil becomes desiccated and compacted, break up the surface with a fork or cultivator, then soak the plant in a bucket of water until the soil is thoroughly moistened.

PRUNING: Stem-pruning of container plants can be done at any time. The best time to root-prune is before active growth resumes, generally in the Fall. Some plants will eventually outgrow their container. If you want to keep them in the same container, you will need to prune the plants roots. When root-pruning an evergreen, make sure to prune stems and leaves as well to compensate for water loss.

FERTILIZING: Many potting soils have almost no nutrients and must be supplemented. Fertilize sparingly as growth begins in Spring. Do not fertilize during dormancy or immediately after transplanting. Make sure the fertilizer is complete and has chelated iron. White chalky matter on the outside of a pot is a symptom of unhealthy salt and fertilizer build-up.