Planting flowers in barrels or containers opens up new gardening design options. The primary advantage of planting flowers in barrels is that the barrels can be moved to different areas in the garden to create new effects. It provides a good opportunity to experiment with different designs. On the downside, flowers in barrels are subject to dry soil conditions, requiring extra watering to prevent loss. Does this Spark an idea?
Edible Plants
Strawberry. Whether it is wild strawberry or a cultivar such as alpine strawberry, these plants provide delicate color with their small, white flowers. The ripening fruit provides a blaze of red color with the added bonus of the delicious summer fruits.
Nasturtium. Nasturtium has everything going for it. It is a hardy plant that is easy to grow. Its flowers come in a variety of attractive colors from the traditional yellow and orange to shades of rose and peach. The flowers are edible, providing a colorful garnish for salads and soups.
Pansy. The pansy is a familiar cool-season flower. Its lovely two-petaled flower is easily recognized. It is a relatively tolerant plant that is able to tolerate cooler conditions. Like nasturtium, the flower is edible and can be used similarly.
Scented Plants
Lavender. Lavender is probably most familiar as a scent in soaps and bath products. It is a relatively low-maintenance, perennial plant. The native variety has delicate purple leaves. The oil in the flowers gives the plant its scent. Lavender is also available in yellow and white varieties.
Petunia. Petunias are an excellent choice for planting in a barrel. These annual flowers come in diverse selection of colors. The flowers bloom several times during a season. Its sweet, delicate scent makes it a good addition for a container placed near the home to enjoy its fragrance as it wafts into the house.
Verbena. Verbena comes in annual and perennial varieties with flowers ranging from white to pink to purple. It is a good choice for butterfly gardens. Its scent is citrus-like. The plant will stay in flower throughout the growing season.
Shrubs
Winter heath. White heath is unusual in that it blooms in the winter into early spring, providing white to purple color, depending on the variety. The shrub is native to the Alps, which accounts for its unique growing pattern. Its lime-green foliage provides interest during non-flowering periods.
False blue spirea. False blue spirea prefers full sun. It will do well planted in a barrel, to USDA hardiness zone 7. The shrub produces lovely blue flowers during the late summer, adding a mood of serenity to the garden. It is a perennial and relatively insect resistant.
Downy serviceberry. Downy serviceberry is native to North America. It prefers slightly acidic soils. It is not a very large tree and will do well planted in a container, up to zone 6. Its white spring flowers give way to purple berries later in the growing season. The berries provide food for songbirds, including chickadees and robins.
Tags: flowers barrels, blue spirea, color with, Downy serviceberry, False blue, False blue spirea