Forrest Rose
Information Specialist
573-882-6843
RoseF@missouri.edu
May 26, 2004
Container plants are available in
variety of species, sizes and hues
“Cannas would be my number one container plant,” she said of the showy flowering plants popularized in the paintings of Georgia O’Keefe. “They prefer full sun but can take the shade.” Cannas come in many varieties and colors, including the banana canna. “It’s huge,” Kroening said.
Other sun-loving container plants include coleus with its colorful variegated foliage, sweet potato vine and salvia, “which is very drought tolerant and looks really good in a container.”
Zinnias are annuals that produce bright blooms for months — “The Profusion series is fantastic,” Kroening said. The thunbergia vine’s fragile yellow blossoms look sensational in a hanging container. Among her favorites is Purple Majesty millet, a native plant with vertical spikes of flowers.
The lantana is a drought-tolerant vining plant “that loves sun,” she said. “It cascades very nicely over the pot. But you have to be careful with lantana because it’s labeled ‘invasive’ in Florida. You need to use caution to keep it contained, but Missouri winters are usually severe enough to kill it out.”
Many container plants thrive in shade. Hosta, which grows well in containers or in the ground, is one of those species. Others include the begonia, caladium, elephant ear and the shrimp plant, named for its vaguely shrimp-shaped blossoms. “Fuchsias tend not to like the Missouri heat, but there are now varieties that are fairly tolerant,” Kroening said.
“They’re all pretty easy to grow,” she added. “Just be sure you put them in the right pot and put the pot in the right location.”
Photo credit: Jim Curley
MU Extension horticulturist Mary Kroening says many container plants are "pretty easy to grow. Just be sure you put them in the right pot and put the pot in the right location."
Source: Mary Kroening (573) 882-9633
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