What should I plant here?

13 days ago

I have this 14" diameter planter in my backyard. What can I plant that is pretty low maintenance as far as watering, but can also make it through the winter? (Zone 6a in central Indiana). I don't have a preference as far as shrub or flowers. TIA!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

Paul F.
13 days ago
Add some pictures taken from further back... a wider shot of the area.
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
13 days ago
Is the planter going to make it through the winter? It looks like it is ceramic, and those often don't.

Aside from that, I wouldn't count on anything surviving the winter. There are annuals that can work, and strategies for less watering of the annuals that can work. However, winter is reliably done with painted branches, cut conifers, and other arrangement material.
Related Discussions
What should I plant here?
Q
Comments (25)
I would change the bed lines to look more inviting. As it is, it looks like you're thinking about engulfing the porch with a barricade of plants. I would not use the large stones as a raised bed edging. Woodyoak makes the point of how unlike the stone on the home they are, and it seems to me they "fight" with one another. The way they are presently organized and arranged adds a haphazard quality to the picture. A better use of those stones would be lining the surface of the slope at the right side of the house ... not quite as a retaining wall, but almost. (The picture is to give an idea, not be a literal interpretation.) This post was edited by Yardvaark on Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 12:02
...See More
What should I plant here?
Q
Comments (5)
Great ideas girls! I think I may go with ornamental peppers! That sounds easy, heat tolerant, and colorful. Although ill have to work with Roo not to touch or eat them. I guess she'd only do it once but that could be a VERY bad day.. yikes. I wonder if I have any dwarf Zinnia seeds left? A fourth of July garden sounds fun too! Lots to think about.. I've heard of people planting Harry Potter gardens! Cracks me up, but a cute idea. I saw a cool plant that looks like candy canes someone included in theirs. Like a tiny callalily i think? I wonder what that was. I'll try to find that post again. Speaking of medicinal, I do have a st. John's wort seedling I could put in there, but I think it'll turn to a scraggly scrubby bush, so maybe not the ideal candidate for center of the garden. I'd love to do a fairy garden but I think ill wait til she's a bit older since I know the pieces of it will get scattered throughout the yard! Then Mike will just mow over them lol. Succulents hate me although I continue to try and try and try.. I made Al's gritty mix last year and killed a bunch by under-watering, added more pine bark and peat moss and lost the rest the same way. Cacti survived but not succulents. Lol I wonder if I filled it with some sedum groundcovers. That could be fun. Kim, I forgot about the seeds! Ill send her a note. I wonder if she's left for her trip yet? I need to get those planted I have the perfect spot! Once the corn comes out, i could fill that area too! Thanks for the reminder!
...See More
What should I plant here?
Q
Comments (1)
Saucer magnolia, Magnolia x soulangeana.
...See More
What should I plant here?
Q
Comments (8)
In regard to the hanging swing we were thinking about either getting one of those A frame standalone patio swings or putting posts into the ground with a beam across the top to hang the swing from, we weren’t going to try to hang it from the porch or the eaves sorry I wasn’t very clear on that. I am not too concerned about blocking the windows, the house just faces the street so there is no view to be lost or anything like that. My only concern would be to not completely block light from coming in. The amount of sun the area gets varies quite a bit by season, right now I’d say it’s getting maybe 3ish hours of sun a day in certain spots on the ground. Maybe 40ish percent of the area never receives direct sunlight on the ground even in the middle of summer. Once you get to about shoulder height, however there is more light which is why I’m thinking about a tree or shrub that will get tall enough to take advantage of that light. Certain spots will get maybe 5-6 hours of sun in the summer but never much more than that.
...See More
Kara Gladish
Original Author
13 days ago
@Paul sure thing, here's another photo.

@Mad_gallica Thanks. Yes the planter has made it through a winter. I previously had a lavender plant which didn't make it though. I was eyeing a boxwood shrub but wanted to explore other options first.
enajasereht
12 days ago
A soft touch holly would fit there but in the ground not a pot. It's only grows a few feet high and wide.
Kara Gladish thanked enajasereht
beeboo22
12 days ago
I pinned this conifer the other day. Stays small and green https://mrmaple.com/products/buy-chamaecyparis-obtusa-chirimen-dwarf-hinoki-cypress
Kara Gladish thanked beeboo22
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
12 days ago
For anything to survive over winter in a container, it needs to be hardy to at least 2 zones lower than yours. In your zone 6, you will need a plant that is hardy to at least zone 4..... and preferably lower.

Dwarf Alberta spruce is a possibility.
Kara Gladish thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
partim
12 days ago
Boxwood is not a good choice. It's susceptible to an increasing number of leaf diseases and insect problems.
Kara Gladish thanked partim
partim
12 days ago
How about some native plants? https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/container-gardening-with-native-plants
Kara Gladish thanked partim
Kara Gladish
Original Author
12 days ago
last modified: 12 days ago
@beeboo22 ah that is cute!

@gardengal ahh that is very helpful!

@Partim good to know, thank you. From the list you sent, I'm thinking maybe a little bluestem!
floraluk2
12 days ago
Do you intend to leave the pot in that position? If so I think it is too small to make an impact. I'd plant up the flowerbed and use the pot elsewhere.
Eileen
12 days ago
last modified: 12 days ago
Containers need daily watering in the summer, and since you may miss some days, I suggest something drought tolerant. Kent Beauty oregano is an ornamental oregano with interesting blue-green foliage and pink bracks. It would be very pretty in the blue pot and will cascade down the sides. Make sure you use the proper planting mix, not soil from your yard.

https://www.hortmag.com/container-gardening/ornamental-oregano
Kara Gladish thanked Eileen
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
12 days ago
Highly unlikely the oregano will overwinter in a container in zone 6.

Related Stories

By Annie Thornton

Get the guide you need for gardening in your U.S. region, with tasks, climate-appropriate plantings and more

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Your Garden Is Stirring — Here’s What to Do in February

By Susan Haynes

February is a good time to start seeds, shape up shrubs and watch for the earliest blooms. Here’s what to do in your part of the U.S. now

Full Story

SPRING GARDENING Spring Gardens Are Waking — Here’s What to Do in March

By Annie Thornton

Excitement fills the air when gardens come back to life. These guides will help you make the most of yours

Full Story

MOVING Relocating? Here’s How to Make the Big Move Better

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Moving guide, Part 1: How to organize your stuff and your life for an easier household move

Full Story

PETS Here’s How to Show Your Pet Even More Love

By Becky Harris

February 20 is Love Your Pet Day. Find all the ideas and inspiration you need to celebrate right here

Full Story

SPRING GARDENING Enjoy the Peak of Spring Gardening — Here’s What to Do in May

By Annie Thornton

Bid the frost farewell and treasure the blooms. No matter what U.S. region you’re in, one of these guides will help your garden flourish

Full Story

DIY PROJECTS Here’s a Thanksgiving Centerpiece You Can Use Through the New Year

By Annie Thornton

Make a fall centerpiece that can transition to winter with ingredients foraged in nature

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Spare Room? Lucky You. Here are 12 Fresh Ways to Use It

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Imagine all the things you could do in your extra space: painting, planting, playing or nothing at all

Full Story

By Annie Thornton

Our July gardening guides take the guesswork out of summer watering, pruning and planting. See our tips for your U.S. region

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Keep Your Cool in the Garden — Here’s What to Do in August

By Annie Thornton

Don’t let summer’s heat go to your head. These U.S. gardening guides will help you make sensible choices for all of your plantings

Full Story

What should I plant here?

Comments (12)

Paul F.

mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)

Related Discussions

Kara Gladish
Original Author

enajasereht

beeboo22

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

partim

partim

Kara Gladish
Original Author

floraluk2

Eileen

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What should I plant here?

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

Kara GladishOriginal Author

Kara GladishOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Kara Gladish
Original Author

Kara Gladish
Original Author