container perennials

Any suggestions as to what plug plant perennials i should buy to put into my containers preferably something that will be in bloom most of the summer. any help appreciated.

[ 30. March 2006, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: robbo ]

 

Robbo, there are loads of nice long flowering perennials, many of which are tender.

I have recently seen in plug/very small plant format:-
Tender perenials that should overwinter with some protection:= Geraniums (technically Pelargoniums), Fuschia (upright or trailing), Argyranthemums (Marguerites).

Tender perenials plugs that may not overwinter:= Petunia (upright or trailing), Diascia (lovely and robust for me) and Nemesia (like Diascia but not so robust for me).

Again in plug/very small plant form I have seen Phygellius (three colours), Salvia Black and Blue (superb but only flowers late) and Salvia Mystic Spires (new this year - dwarf version (18" - 24") of Indigo Spires (48") which I am told is superb and flowers from July till frosts. These are hardy border perennials, but ideal for containers.

Whilst I have not seen them as plugs I would also recommend Osteospermum and Heliotrope - both tender perennials. I have not tried the Phygellius and Salvias before, but I grew all the rest last year and they were all very long flowering.

 

try the catalogues - on-line is easiest -
google T&M for their young plants section, Suttons, they're good for a start.

 

Robbo, if my selection seemed a bit odd, perhaps I should have added that all the plants mentioned, except for the Heliotrope and Osteopermum at the bottom, are perennials within the Kindergarten Plant range of plug and very small plants that are currently available at larger garden centres (certainly round me).

You mentioned plugs AND perennials. I tend to think of plugs as annuals, which you buy cheaply in bulk because they are disposable, but perennials last much longer and you can take cuttings from them, so you can afford to buy them singly for more. Did you really mean plugs and perennials.

 

Thanks for the advice theres plenty to choose from there will check out the garden centres. cheers

 

hi robbo,i suppose it depends on what you like.i love crocosmia, Lucifer, in pots (or anything)i have them in old chimney pots in my back yard .you can buy at wilkinsons (good price) and cos they`re bulbs(they`re less hassle,you can also leave these-dont have to dig up and overwinter- in the ground) they multiply and you can seperate about this time of year and double up.