The Best Pots for a Long-Term Container Planting
3 key details to look for in a garden pot.
Many trees, shrubs and perennials grow well in containers, providing an interesting focal point for your garden or an accent for an entry way or other small space. For the continued health of the plant, it is key to choose the right pot. Here's what to keep in mind when you're deciding on a container for a long-term planting:
1. At some point you will need to repot your plants in order to replenish the soil and prune the roots, which will keep the plant's top growth in check. Root pruning allows the plant to remain in the container rather than moving up a size.
With this maintenance in mind, choose a pot from which you can easily remove the plant without damaging either. That means the container's rim should not curve inward over the soil, and the top of the container should be wider than the bottom.
2. If the planting must remain outside all year, be sure that it can withstand the extremes of your climate. This is especially key in regions where the temperatures dip below freezing and/or fluctuate widely over the winter. Here you must be sure that the pot is built to resist cracking in freezing weather.
3. If you plan to bring the planting into shelter for the winter, or move it around for any reason, be aware of how much it and its contents will weigh. You may want to keep it on a wheeled base for ease of movement. (Choose casters that lock, or devise some other way to keep the wheels stationery between moves, such as bracing the wheels with potsherds or other materials.)
Read more about long-term container plantings:
