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Annuals to fill a whiskey barrel in full sun?

14 years ago

Can anyone suggest a mixture of annuals that will look nice in a large whiskey barrel which gets sun all day. I've tried a few things in the past, with not good results. I'd like to find plants that grow tall, maybe some that cascade over the side...something to make an impression in this otherwise barren corner of my yard.

Thanks for any ideas!

Nov (mid-Atlantic area)

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
what is the barrel filled with..

dirt/soil

or a good potting media???

this might be the root of why you havent been successful ...

ken
0
novembre
Original Author
14 years ago
No, I don't think that's why. I use the same mix (some garden soil and some Miracle-Grow potting soil in all my pots, and the shade plants do very well.
The annuals I've planted in the whiskey barrel in the past have grown ok, just don't look good. Maybe I've planted them too far apart, or chosen the wrong kinds...I don't know, but what I need is advice on just what to plant, how many of each, and how to space them.
Thanks for your input ken.
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I wasn't there to see how things went when you planted. I only mentioned what my opinion was as to probable problem. My reasoning: Soggy soil doesn't kill plants inside of 2 days unless it's soo hot they nearly cook. It's doubtful that with new plantings, nearly devoid of roots, that they could have used all the moisture in the mix you described. so I discounted drying out as the probable cause. You said you added the 10-10-10 to the top layer of soil. My first thought, as soon as I read your post was that it was fertilizer related. I still believe that. In a half whiskey barrel, you could probably use 1/3 cup of 10-10-10 if it was fully incorporated in the soil & mixed thoroughly. I wouldn't have used it as a top dressing, which is essentially what you did, and if I had, I would have limited the application to no more than an ounce. The dead leaves & stems lying about the photo have a texture to them that I usually see in plants with fungal problems, or that are suffering severe plasmolysis (fertilizer burn). If the plants appeared healthy when you planted them, it's not fungal (in such a short time). Why is the hosta & impatiens flourishing? It's probably not fair to judge the condition of recent transplants, but it (hosta) isn't flourishing. Flourishing comes after it's established. I don't know all the conditions of your planting, but the plant(s) with shallower roots may have died because of greater exposure to fertilizer in top layer of soil. It's all just a guess based on reasoning & some experience. Perhaps additional details may hold the clues to confirming what I said or pointing you in another direction. Good luck. Al
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That's true, Joe. The time line varies some depending on where you live but you do eventually have to re-pot. In warmer climates that is between 2 and 4 years because they grow for a much longer season. In my zone 6 I have to do mine between 4 and 5 years because my season is short and they don't get root bound as quickly. When I change the soil I root prune too. A sure sign that your rose is root bound is if while you're pouring the water in the top of the pot it's running out the bottom just as fast!
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keriann_lakegeneva
14 years ago
I would do one or two african daisies and 3 tidal wave petunias.

Keep them on the dry side and try not to water their foliage.

I have had the best luck watering twice a week really really well in the evening; a Âdeep water.Â

Verbena is another choice.

Keriann~
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kentstar
14 years ago
Try Bacopa! It's wonderful for cascading down the sides. Garden Crossings has it and probably your local nursery's. Or you could try Creeping Jenny. Boy does that one look good too but it does creep so you'd have to keep it from reaching the ground!
Lobelia would work to I think.
Bacopa is the best though! :)
0
novembre
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Keriann and kenstar, I will try African Daisies and wave petunias...I've never seen bacopa, nor Creeping Jenny locally, but there's an excellent upscale nursery a little distance from me, but worth the drive if I can get these plants.

I've always thought of lobelia as a shade plant, although it's never grown well for me. Will it really grow in full sun? It's such a dainty, pretty plant!

Nov
0
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
if you want something extremely tall.. and tropical.. how about some canna... the variegated ones would be spectacular all summer ... see link

then some vines trailing out ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
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kentstar
14 years ago
Lobelia erinus! Another one you might consider. I bought some myself this year. I also have a half barrel that I planted a mini climbing rose in. I'm going to plant the lobelia around the rose. But I hope the sun won't hurt it. It's on the south side of house and gets a lot of sun (for the rose good) but there is a tall oak tree it's near, which I'm hoping will give it at least a little shade for some of the day.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lobelia erinus
0
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
14 years ago
When I lived in Z6 I also had a whiskey barrel. I successfully used red fountain grass for height. It would go well with other plants mentioned here.
0

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