is it possible to contain thug salvias in sunk containers?

9 years ago

I have had great success sinking pots inground to contain fast spreading plants. They stay put! Could I do this with my salvia Argentine skies? or any othe thuggish salvia?

Comments (7)

rusty_blackhaw
9 years ago
You likely could.

Having grown this (and straight S. guaranitica) in the Houston area with no problem, I'm puzzled by the "thug" reference. Do you actually find it's that rapid a mover?
rich_dufresne
9 years ago
It can become invasive in good garden soil. Many Salvias are adapted to thrive in disturbed soils like gardens. Birds and small animals can carry damp seeds to new locations. The seed coats are glutinous when wet, and this helps with dispersal by sticking to fur and feathers.
Related Discussions
Perennials for full sun containers
Q
Comments (8)
Hi, I don't do perennials anymore because most of them needs special prep for over wintering otherwise they'll die so it might as well be annuals for a month of bloom. and i just don't have time and money. one perennial that i still do more and more is lilies. I bought some hybrid asiatic lilies and plated and they bloomed beautifully and overwintered no problem without any extra protection ( I live zone 7) . also you can plant fairly crowded. they are cheap. and no problem. fantastic plant for pot. I've never done ornamental grass. but I know it could be done well. and I also think they are easy to grow plant. so familiarize yourself with the growing requirements of ornamental grass. I think many of them are drought tolerant and needs great drainage. full sun. probably in general. try to mimic the natural growing enviroment and I am sure they'll do well.
...See More
Container Water Graden
Q
Comments (10)
Sure is. I can take a picture of my just starting off half barrel tomorrow and post. It is a plastic half barrel that is many years old. I patched up the leaks with some silicone. Filled it with water. Went to Petsmart and got some Cabomba and Hornwort. It has been set up for 6 weeks or so now. I'm heading off to Lowes tomorrow to grab a lily for it. Without fish in it, you do need some mosquito control. I've been using Mosquito dunks. I have wondered if I should build a frog ladder! Seriously though, I buried my barrel about 8" or so. My thinking was to partially bury to help with temperature control with such a small water volume. (I wanted to bury it more, but ran into some darn buried wires) It is in an area to capture runoff water from the driveway. So I dug out the sand so there is a slight slope towards the barrel. If you don't have a handy half barrel hanging out, other options are the small patio pond shells, stock tanks and galvanized pans. I've seen some really cool water/bog gardens made from kids swimming pools. Oh, I remembered I have a picture from right after I set it up. ~dianne
...See More
how do u prep and sow your containers?
Q
Comments (55)
I, like everyone else, am gearing up for the wintersowing season and was just wondering if anyone has had success with the opaque white gallon milk jugs that you buy in Costco? I am hesitant to use them because i'm not sure what the light penetration would be like, but at the same time i bet it lets more light in than i think. on a related note, i have heard differing opinions on this site as well as others about sowing containers and putting them in a cold frame. i have three cold frames ready to go and it just seems easier than wrangling a ton of milk jugs. any thoughts on this use of a cold frame? -nate
...See More
New (intro) - Dallas, I want a container garden-Help!
Q
Comments (29)
So I went by Lowes today and saw a couple of Hibiscus I could't live without. They are 2 small plants, but they were $4 each. They are a bright fuscia color. I didn't know Hibiscus was such a pretty flower....so much to learn! So I brought them home. I should of bought some pots too, but afraid hubby will notice a major charge on the debit card. LOL I figure if I keep frequent low charges, they aren't as alarming...LMAO! Yes, I am planning on attending the plant swap. I do need to print up the directions and all. As far as Salvia goes, not sure what kind I have, I'll have to pull up the tag and read it when I get home. I didn't put the seeds far in the dirt. I just sprinkled the seeds on top of the soil and put about 1/8 of an inch of soil spread on top. So they are very lightly in there. Hopefully they'll still be okay. Ooo, yes, I looked up the pics of the Salvia, and I like. And I'll have to look up what the Texas Star Hibiscus looks like, but I know I'll probably like those too if I like the ones I bought already. Thanks so much for your help! I can't tell you how much it's appreciated!
...See More
Bossy vossy
Original Author
9 years ago
It doesn't jump from gardenbed to gardenbed, but it is a rapid mover to the point it was chocking my iris rhizomes, no question about that. I think the problem was that the supplemental water from the sprinkler made it want to grow, grow, grow. it was very easy to remove, and I feel much better knowing that it will be kept within bounds in the sunk container. I grow several salvias and have not had a problem like this before. But the Argentine Skies is the only one that the extra dose of water.

Rusty, I do know what you mean about being puzzled. sometimes I read about certain plants being thugs and I go: huh?
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
How about a rubber tire sunk in the ground or a kids swimming pool. One could pok the pool easily enough for drainage. I have seen interesting paint jobs on tires in bright colors with a darkening glaze over them. Playful but sofisticated. I plant my mint in a tire.
robinmi_gw
8 years ago
Two more Salvias which are verging on thuggery (in the UK) are 'Penny's Smile' and 'Alegria'. But I don't mind, as they are stunners.
rich_dufresne
8 years ago
I would go with aluminum sheet flashing, about 12 to 18 inches deep in a loop around the plant. The plastic in children's pools is probably not strong enough to withstand digging predators and strong tree roots.
Bossy vossy
Original Author
8 years ago
I actually sank a plastic pot inside another plastic pot to form a double wall container. I'm sorry, tires are UGLY no matter what color paint you apply. Having said that, a nearby nursery took some huge tractor tires, stacked them, filled with dirt and planted a display garden. it is really cute. I will try to post a pic. Never remember to do it though. But my house is not a nursery.....so the tire thing just doesn't go.

Related Stories

EARTH DAY Create a Container Wildlife Habitat for Hummingbirds and Butterflies

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Don’t let limited space prevent you from welcoming wildlife into your garden

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The Abundant Garden Makes Room for Plants

By Frank Organ

Gardens focused on plants provide joy and solace with their billowing layered beds, overflowing containers and walls of green

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES How to Get Your Prairie On

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Have a field day with your landscape, even if you've got just a few modern containers on a paved path

Full Story

SAVING WATER Stormwater Planters Manage Runoff in Small Gardens

By Falon Mihalic

Think of stormwater planters as container rain gardens

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Go for Baroque for a Vivacious, Colorful Garden

By Frank Organ

Give your landscape a sumptuous feel with over-the-top hues, bright accessories and container arrangements as wild as can be

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Ways to Plant a Big Kiss of Red on Your Landscape

By LuAnn Brandsen

Ignite passion in your garden beds and container plantings with flowers and foliage in this dynamic color

Full Story

NATIVE PLANTS Why Aggressive Plants Might Actually Be Your Friends

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sometimes a garden thug is exactly what’s called for

Full Story

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Texas Gardener's April Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Get your sowing and planting on — spring brings a tantalizing array of possibilities in the garden

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Monochromatic Garden Magic Done 7 Ways

By Le jardinet

Discover intriguing ways to use color in your garden by unlocking the secrets of monochromatic design

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Gaura Lindheimeri

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Delicate, butterfly-shaped flowers ‘float’ above the foliage of this lovely, drought-tolerant perennial

Full Story

is it possible to contain thug salvias in sunk containers?

Comments (7)

rusty_blackhaw

rich_dufresne

Related Discussions

Bossy vossy
Original Author

wantonamara Z8 CenTex

robinmi_gw

rich_dufresne

Bossy vossy
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

is it possible to contain thug salvias in sunk containers?

Comments (7)

rusty_blackhaw

rich_dufresne

Related Discussions

Bossy vossyOriginal Author

wantonamara Z8 CenTex

robinmi_gw

rich_dufresne

Bossy vossyOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Bossy vossy
Original Author

Bossy vossy
Original Author