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Container Gardening

Bottomless Pots for Ornamental Grasses

18 years ago

Hello,

We live in an all-sand environment (sand dunes near Lake Michigan). I was thinking that, rather than replace large areas of sand with a soil mix, I could sink cylydrical "bottomless pots" into the sand and then make the interiors a soil mixture.

Since we like OG's like Miscanthus Senensis gracimillus and morning light as well as Panicum Virgatum "Heavy Metal" these cylinders would have a diameter of, maybe, three feet.

I would think that the interior of the cylinder would best be smooth so that dividing the grasses over the years might be easier.

However, in searching for ideas on what to use for these bottomless pots, the only thing that comes to mind is that heavy, black, corrugated drain tile.

Any other suggestions on what I might use and where I might purchase it?

Thank You!

arjayvee

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Comments (2)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
18 years ago
Large masonry supply stores will have vitrified crock in square, rectangular, or round shapes with open ends in various diameters and lengths that would be suitable for your intended use. The color is usually a red/brown mix.

I'm not sure who might still make them, but cement culverts in varying diameters and lengths might still be available. Use a hand cut-off saw to cut to length & bury the rough ends.

Gas pipe comes in diameters up to 3 ft. Check at a welding shop to see if it is available. They would be able to cut to length.

Build your own square or rectangular planters from cedar and/or treated lumber.

Al
rain1950
18 years ago
Saw at a hiway construction site large diameter corrugated plastic pipe. Maybe check on scrap pieces?
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This observations is for zone 4/5 gardners. Up until winter of 2007/2008 I never successfully overwintered miscanthus cultivars either in in pots or that were divided and re-planted in the fall. The only success I had was last winter when I over wintered 4 miscanthus, 2 fargesia bamboo plus other assorted plants in my basement escape window well. Everything survived beautifully. (We have no children and use our basememnt only for storage so this was not a fire trap). My suggestion for northern gardners who want to transplant grasses in fall is do it ASAP, mulch with shredded leaves and cover the crown with a big pot weighted down with stones or brick. Using this method I have overwintered tender plants like snapdragons.
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In your zone (BRRR!) you'd have to be very careful about wintering grasses in pots. Prairie Dropseed is hardy to zone 3, but traditional thought indicates you lose at least 2 zones in unprotected containers. That means you'd have to bury a pot of it, but doesn't mean it would survive. The grass, in situ, will drop roots much further into the ground than a pot will allow. This will enable it to survive the cold of winter much better than even a buried pot. Same with Junegrass. Hardy to Z3, and an unprotected pot will be the equivalent of Z5. Bury it, and you might buy a zone, but you also might not.
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I have over-wintered several varieties of ornamental grass over the years. I don't use any protection but these grasses are pretty hardy. The only thing that you need to be aware of is that grasses have a tough, fibrous root system and can crack a clay pot. So, be sure the pot is a sturdy one or be prepared to re-pot when the grass gets too large. As far as Purple Fountain Grass goes, I think it's too much trouble to try to over-winter it. For what a small pot of it costs, it's easier to buy new plants in the spring than to try to over-winter it. But, if you must try, let us know how it turns out. Good luck. Steve
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