Outdoor container culture - looking for suggestions

Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)

6 years ago

Hello everyone,

I hope you all got a chance to work on your gardens (or spend time in your gardens) this past weekend. I spent some time weeding and re-arranging pots around the yard. I moved two large terra-cotta pots to the front yard, and was hoping you could give me suggestions on what to plant in one of them.

I am in zone 9b in the interior central valley - so we have lots of heat and lots of sun. The pots are in full sun, so whatever goes in there will have to withstand plenty of sun exposure. Here is a picture of the area with the pots - they are in the middle of the yard.

The large pot already has protea in it, and I plan on keeping it there. The smaller of the two use to have chili peppers in it, but I tore those out since they were in decline anyhow. I would like to plant something that will compliment the plants already here. I hand water and I don't have the discipline to keep water-thirsty perennials happy, so I have to keep that in mind. Do any of you have suggestions as to what might go well in the smaller pot? I have several plants I can use already, but I'm open to suggestions.

Dypsis decaryi (I could move this under the porch in the event of frost.)

aechmea blanchettiana (would it be wise to plant a bromeliad here?)

cereus peruvianus (the tall stem would have to be under-planted with something)

Encephalartos transvenosus (small 1-gallon plant - would have to be planted with something else to fill in the pot).

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Comments (5)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I would use the Cereus in one. Do you have any Agaves? They look good in pots rising above other plants.
nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I don't have ideas about plants but something That picks up the color of the bougainvillea, or the salvia would be nice. Have you considered getting one of those reservoirs to put in your planters? I can't imagine hand watering pots where I am. I have self watering pots with 4 gallon reservoirs that sometimes es have to be filled twice a day!
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PRO
User
6 years ago
You have a great space, but your beautiful pots are getting lost in the background shrubbery! I would plant something very tall and dramatic like a banana or cannas, or consider moving those pots more towards the foreground or along the paths. Place containers at transition points, like sidewalk to front-walkway, or where steps are placed, to help draw people along the walkway (also easier to water). Consider pots as jewelry, and permit yourself to put something in that is large and dramatic even if you expect it to die in the winter. They are used to punctuate spaces and draw your eye to those spots (and distract from other areas). Good luck and enjoy!
Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)
Original Author
6 years ago
@hoovb, I do have a couple of agaves! I'll look into any that are pupping at the moment.

Nanelle, I haven't heard of those reservoirs! Are they basically plastic containers that go at the bottom of pots, so as to keep soggy soil in the bottom at all times?

@Gh Horticulture, thanks. So you think I should move the pots forward more? Perhaps behind the aloe that's front and center?
nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)
6 years ago
"Are they basically plastic containers that go at the bottom of pots, so as to keep soggy soil in the bottom at all times?"

Self watering reservoir

Outdoor container culture - looking for suggestions

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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)

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Outdoor container culture - looking for suggestions

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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)

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Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)Original Author

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Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)
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