outdoor potted plants – NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

June 4, 2022

Create a Soothing Outdoor Oasis with Potted Ferns

Many of today’s modern ferns are descendants of ancient plants that have lived on the earth for millions of years. This fact alone speaks of their hardy and resilient nature but although ferns are tough plants, they are also graceful, striking and surprisingly easy to care for!

A volunteer garden fern of unknown variety makes a home with Creeping Jenny

Just one large fern planted in an urn provides a focal point of instant elegance, but potted ferns can be combined with other plants as well. The newly planted fern above will fill out quickly and the bright Creeping Jenny will spill generously over the edge. This simple but dramatic combination will light up my entryway all season long and require only minimal care. You can also group several pots of ferns together to create a soothing, serene and tropical looking summer oasis. Urban yards which many times lack abundant sunlight are the perfect settings for potted ferns!

Close-up of Japanese Painted Fern with Black-eyed Susan

Although ferns are thought of as shade plants, some are remarkably sun tolerant. As a general rule in Zone 6, I like to place ferns where they get morning sun followed by afternoon shade to protect them during the hottest part of the day. If you live in warmer areas of the country, you’ll want to provide your ferns with more shade. The beauty of planting ferns in pots is that you can easily move them around to find their perfect happy place!

Japanese Painted Fern ‘Burgundy Lace’ showing some late spring color

The following colorful hardy ferns look fabulous in pots and are easy care for beginners and experienced gardeners alike:

Japanese Painted Fern

The popular Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ is variegated with graceful fronds of varying silver, purple and burgundy coloration. The variety ‘Burgundy Lace’ emerges as a striking purple-red in early spring, slowly changing to silvery green with deep red ribs. ‘Metallicum’ retains a cool silvery-gray metallic sheen and really lights up darker areas.

Autumn Fern

If you prefer a warmer palette, the Autumn Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora, emerges a bright orange-red or copper color in the spring, then slowly changes to a bright green. ‘Brilliance’ is a particularly striking variety with new fronds showing dazzling color throughout the season. This well-behaved fern is perfectly sized for growing in pots with companion plants but it does prefer more shade!

Hay Scented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctiloba, the common Hay Scented Fern, is so called because it emits a pleasant scent reminiscent of freshly mowed hay when crushed or disturbed. These bright chartreuse ferns change to a pleasing soft yellow in the cooler days of fall. Hay Scented Ferns can be aggressive spreaders in the garden but are easily contained in a large pot where one plant makes an eye-catching specimen. In spite of their delicate and lacy appearance, these ferns can tolerate more sun than others.

You can purchase ferns at any garden center but if you already grow ferns in your garden or know someone who does, mature clumps can easily be spaded up and divided in the spring to grow on in pots.

Ferns enjoy rich, humusy soil which retains moisture so you may want to add a little compost to your potting mixture. Water your potted ferns early in the morning so that any drops of moisture on the fronds dry off before the sun gets hot enough to cause sunburn. Ferns like to be kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. A little liquid kelp once a month should be all the fertilizer they require to look their best.

At the end of the growing season in October, ferns can be planted back into the garden, or the pots can be moved to an unheated garage or cellar for the winter months. This cold period will mimic their natural outdoor conditions. Give them a small drink of water about once a month while dormant indoors, just enough to keep them from completely drying out. Move the pots back outside once temperatures have warmed up in the spring and resume watering as usual. Potted ferns should grow well for about three years when they will need to be divided to start the process once again.

September 2, 2019January 22, 2020

Sweet September

“Ah, Sweet September, where summer softly lingers and autumn patiently awaits its turn . . .”

‘Little Lime’ hydrangea turning pink (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

September is one of my favorite gardening months! As temperatures begin to cool and rainfall becomes more consistent, it’s the perfect time for planting. Whether you’re working with an existing garden or starting a new one, the following tips will help.

This ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum will soon be joined by the blooms of purple asters (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

CLEAN UP

By late summer, after weeks of intense heat and only sporadic rain, our spring and summer perennials can look a little worn out. Taking some time now to clean up these plants can give your garden a rejuvenated look for fall. I like to move through each garden area and deadhead spent blooms, cut back brown stems and remove tattered leaves. Daylilies are the perfect example of plants that immediately look better after such attention. While you’re at it, pull out any persistent weeds or diseased foliage and dispose of them away from the garden. Don’t compost the debris for you’ll only be spreading disease and weed seeds!

Early September blooms (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

EVALUATE

Now that your garden has been cleaned up, take a good look at what’s remaining. Are there some plants you would like to have more of? Would a certain plant perform better in another area, with more or less sunlight? Are there spaces where you can tuck in a few spring or summer bulbs? Is there something blooming in your neighborhood that catches your eye? Maybe you’d like to add some new fall perennials or shrubs to extend your gardening season. Whatever you want to accomplish in the garden, September is the perfect month to get it all done!

‘Coral Cove’ rose (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

PLAN

I know this is easier said than done, but a little planning in the fall goes a long way come spring. Dream a little, seek inspiration and ask yourself these questions: How much time do you want to spend gardening? What garden style appeals to you? Do you like the look of romantic cottage gardens or lean more towards native plantings and low-maintenance xeriscaping? Do you love the blooms of early spring bulbs? If so, order now for optimum planting time later this month and into October. When looking for new plants, be sure to check on-line for those that thrive in your hardiness zone, soil type and light conditions. The decisions you make now will help create a garden you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ adds autumn color with its burgundy seed pods (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

PLANT

Any planting is best done on a mild cloudy day and before expected rainfall. This is good for the gardener as well as the plants! Now is the time to divide large clumps of perennials and relocate or share the extras. This is a great way to enlarge your garden using what you already have and love! Maybe you want to splurge on that new hydrangea or add asters, sedums and Montauk daisies for more fall color. Many garden centers and websites have late season sales going on right now so take advantage. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with an even more magnificent garden next year!

CELEBRATE

For instant gardening gratification, how about having some fun redoing your planters? Reuse plants that are still performing well and replace those that are looking ragged. Check with your local garden center for plants that are cold hardy and don’t be afraid to mix annuals with perennials or even small evergreens. Add pumpkins, cornstalks, seed pods and gourds around your freshened pots for even more seasonal drama. It’s time to enjoy and celebrate Sweet September!

Potted hosta lancifolia blooms in September (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

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September 18, 2018September 18, 2018

Blessed Beneficial Rain

A good rain is such a blessing! After weeks of hot, dry weather, we finally had some beneficial rain here in northeastern Massachusetts. Heavy tropical downpours moved across our region today, a gift from hurricane Florence as the storm slowly moved east and out to sea. Of course, those living down South who have just experienced 20 inches of rain are not feeling at all blessed right now, but I’m not talking about the kind of rain that leaves flooding and devastation in its wake. Instead, I’m feeling grateful for the kind of rain that sets everything right again, washing away summer’s dust and leaving the outside world clean and refreshed. If you take a close look at your trees, shrubs, and perennials after a soaking rain, you’ll see that they’re greener looking, perky and plumped up with moisture. Some plants, like rhododendrons, even lift up their leaves, as if in thanks!

rhodie close-up — A Rhododendron Giving Thanks for Rain (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

This is the first September since I retired and I’ve taken the opportunity to do some major garden renovation of long-neglected areas. This includes dividing and moving perennials to areas where they can spread out. After digging a new hole for a plant, I add homemade compost and mix it in, ensuring a good start for the roots and improving the existing soil. In addition, and just as important, I plan any large-scale gardening work so that it’s done before a predicted good rainfall. Once the plants are settled into their new homes, I wait for that beneficial rain to work its magic because it’s true that the best water for plants is au natural!

My husband and I are fortunate to live in a small town where everyone has well water. Although our water contains mineral salts, we don’t use a water softener and there’s no chlorine or fluoride which are commonly found in municipal drinking water. Many plants are susceptible to chlorine toxicity which can cause scorched or “burnt” leaves and affect overall health. It can also build up in the soil when gardens are watered regularly with chlorinated water. In addition, according to J.W. Pscheidt, Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, Oregon State University, “Fluoride is an accumulative poison in plant foliage. Accumulation may be gradual over time. Fluoride strongly inhibits photosynthesis and other processes.” Additionally, the heavy use of chemical fertilizers can also burn plants.

Even though our property has well water which is free of added chemicals, I water as little as possible from the outside spigot, preferring to wait for rainfall. Although we don’t have a rain collection barrel, we do put out buckets to collect rain which I then use to water my flower pots and anything newly planted. In addition, I use a layer of mulch every spring to conserve the moisture in my garden beds and any fertilizer I use is organic-based. Using this regimen, I’ve noted an improvement in the overall health of my plants and gardens and I’ve saved myself a lot of outdoor watering!

beautiful bloom blooming blur — Using Collected Rainwater in Outdoor Pots (Photo by Torsten Dettlaff on Pexels.com)

Here are some tips for healthy watering practices:

If you have city water and love to garden, try watering outside only when absolutely necessary to minimize chemical build-up.
Collect rainwater in barrels or buckets and use that on thirsty plants.
If rainwater isn’t available, let tap water sit in your watering can for 24 hours before using to water houseplants or outside pots, thus allowing the chlorine and fluoride to settle out.
Plant outside before a predicted rainfall to help your plants get quickly established.

leaves rain green hosta — Rain on Hosta Leaves (Photo by Hilary Halliwell on Pexels.com)

For more on the many benefits of rainwater, click on this link:

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/13/for-plants-rain-has-benefits-that-tap-water-simply-cant-deliver-9/

DISCLOSURE: From time to time I may use Affiliate Links such as the ones below. I use these only for companies I trust. When you click through on the link and make a purchase from the website, I may make a small commission (at no additional cost to you) which helps me to maintain my website.

September 6, 2018

Garden Thugs or Helpful Heroes?

The Fine Line Between Invasive and Enthusiastic

I grow several plants in my zone 6 garden that are considered “invasive” or plants that tend to spread rampantly. If you look on your State’s website, you will find a list of invasive trees and plants that should never be planted in your area. Purple Loosestrife, for example, is an aggressive grower in New England that is taking over marshes and ponds, choking out wildlife habitat. I’m not talking about the plants that have been blacklisted but instead the ones you can purchase from your local garden center that are best described as “enthusiastic” growers. Over the years I’ve discovered there’s a fine line between plants that are considered garden thugs and those that are helpful heroes. It’s all in how you use them.

Using Groundcovers

Many groundcovers are aggressive spreaders. As the name implies, these are generally plants that will cover a lot of ground and do it quickly! Groundcovers can be extremely valuable in covering unsightly areas of our yards where other plants won’t grow. For this reason landscapers love them but new gardeners may hesitate to bring these rowdy boys home. The trick with using assertive spreaders is to keep them from getting out-of-bounds.

A case in point is the innocent looking “Creeping Jenny” with its diminutive chartreuse leaves. Planted in rich garden soil, this bright gem spreads like a bad case of poison ivy and can easily take over your flower bed. I know this from personal experience! But I love the bright green color and delicate appearance of this plant, so I use it where it can be left to its own devices – in semi-shaded bare spots around the yard or combined with other plants in flower pots where its rampant growth is confined. In the right spot “Jenny” may even reward you with bright yellow summer flowers.

Creeping Jenny with Obsidian Heuchera and Hosta — Creeping Jenny shines with Obsidian Heuchera and Hosta (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Another popular groundcover is Ajuga or Bugleweed. The common Ajuga reptans brightens my yard with beautiful blue or white flower spikes in May. It tends to spread into the lawn but, dug up and replanted in early spring, you can easily direct this plant where you want it to grow. Ajuga appreciates semi-shade but will adapt to full sun given adequate moisture. Two varieties that I love are “Black Scallop” and “Chocolate Chip” whose striking foliage looks good all season. (See photos below) Deep blue flower spikes are a bonus in the spring. Although Ajuga spreads quickly, it plays well with others in my garden beds and is easily divided and moved to other areas.

A native groundcover that I’ve used extensively in my yard is Vinca minor, also known as “Periwinkle” or “Creeping Myrtle.” In April, the glossy dark green foliage is covered with light blue flowers that positively sparkle in the sun. Vinca thrives along the bright edges of the woods and quickly covers large areas. On the aggressive side with its long runners attaching to any bare soil, this groundcover is best left to its own space where it will fill in to form a lush green carpet. One stunning early spring combination is the twinkling blue flowers of Vinca planted at the feet of bright yellow Forsythia!

Giving the Big Boys Room

Although we don’t usually think of our tall perennials as invasive, there are some big boys that tend to spread aggressively and quickly. Large clumps of sun-loving Shasta daisies, tall daylilies, phlox and perovskia can become almost shrub-like in size, easily overcoming a small garden. Tall grasses also make a big statement and need lots of space to spread. If you love big plants, give them plenty of room at the back of the border where they won’t dwarf your smaller perennials OR group them in a bed by themselves.

Purple Fountain Grass easily dwarfs its neighbors (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

In the semi-shade garden, Grape Leaf Anemone is another back-of-the-border plant that can quickly grow to three feet tall and wide, and the long flower stalks may need support. Valuable as a prodigious late summer to early fall bloomer, the pale pink to mauve blooms blend beautifully with late-blooming hostas and Rudbeckia. Because of its robust constitution, it may need to be thinned out in early spring to keep it from taking over but it’s worth the extra effort just to enjoy the spectacular late season show!

Go Ahead and Grow It Anyway

The only way we learn about the nature of plants is to grow them ourselves. Remember that whatever a plant’s reputation, your experience with it will be unique to your climate and growing conditions. Don’t be afraid to try a plant with an eager temperament; just plant with restraint if using in established flower beds and monitor its habit over the growing season. Alternatively, if you want to cover a shabby area and turn it into something you’re proud of, using these vigorous spreaders can give you almost instant gratification. So, go ahead and take a few of these plants home for a test drive. Only then will you discover who are the garden thugs and who are the helpful heroes in your garden!

July 8, 2018August 13, 2018

An Ode to Mulch

Caring for a garden takes a lot of time, patience and work. Although we’re all brimming with enthusiasm in spring, the summer gardening chores of weeding and watering get old fast. When you have to squeeze in gardening between a job, housework and children, it can quickly become a burden. So what is the number one thing I recommend to make gardening less labor intensive and more enjoyable? It’s mulch!

Why mulch, you ask? Well, one application put down in the spring lasts all season. My personal preference is shredded bark mulch, although there are many different types to choose from. You can either buy bagged mulch or have a landscaper bring in a truckload, depending upon your budget and the size of your garden. If you’re young and energetic, you can easily spread it around yourself. If you’re older than dirt (like my husband and myself), you might opt to have someone spread it for you. Avoid the dyed stuff and go with the natural product which has a fresh pine scent. Not only will your whole yard smell terrific, a mulched garden looks elegant and gives your home more curb appeal.

Mulch keeps your garden soil moist, thus limiting the time you have to spend watering. You should still water any new plantings and during extended dry spells, but mulch holds the moisture much longer than bare soil so you’ll have to water less often. Even outdoor potted plants benefit from a moisture-retentive layer of mulch. So rather than holding a hose in the hot sun, you can hold a Margarita while you sit in the shade admiring your beautiful flowers and veggies!

Another benefit is that mulch suppresses weeds. You will always have some weeds because they’re very good at what they do and Mother Nature programs them to use any available space in your garden to take up residence. However, you’ll have a lot less weeds germinating in a three-inch layer of mulch and much less to pluck out later.

Lastly, a good organic mulch feeds your soil. Year after year, layer after layer, mulch breaks down into compost and any compost is good news for your garden. By keeping your soil healthy, your plants will be nourished the way nature intended. Mulch also acts as an insulator, keeping the soil cooler in the heat of summer and protecting your perennials from severe cold in the winter.

So, if you want to spend less time working in your garden and more time admiring it, make a yearly investment in mulch and enjoy that Margarita!

green succulent flowers on pot — Photo by Tharatip Sukee on Pexels.com