Containers also give you the opportunity to grow plants that would otherwise struggle in your soil conditions as well as invasive perennials that would swamp your borders or even your whole garden. The giant ornamental rhubarb, for example, can reach six feet in a moist spot, but in a large container, such as a half barrel, it can be kept to a more manageable size.
Alpines grow well in containers, too, thriving on the good drainage and airy conditions. The container also brings their dainty form and intricate markings closer to the eye where they are more easily appreciated. When they are grown in a trough, they can be combined with other dwarf plants and rocks to create an attractive miniature landscape or alpine bed. Plant the flowers to the same depths as they were in their pots or trays. For instant impact, position plants closer together that you would in open ground.
Regular feeding is important; the nutrients in the compost will quickly get used up. Add a liquid feed to the water every week or push special slow release fertilizer tablets into the compost at planting time. Water thoroughly. The plants will soon spread out to fill the window box. If the box has been planted away from its final position, it can be left for a while until the plants are all in full flower before being put on display.
Assemble the items you will need, a terracotta pot, your choice of plant, some stones to cover the drainage holes, compost soil mix, slow release fertilizer, either loose or in pellets, and water retaining granules. Cover the bottom of the container with small stones or some pieces of broken tile or pottery, to prevent the compost washing out of the drainage holes. Partly fill the pot with a good quality potting compost, loam based compost is best for permanent displays.
If you wish, mix some slow release fertilizer and water retaining granules into the compost before you fill the pot. Scoop a hole in the compost and insert the plant, positioning it so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface of the compost. Place any extra plants that you wish to include around the edge of the main plant. Add more compost to fill any gaps and firm down. Insert a fertilizer pellet at this stage if fertilizer granules were not added to the compost mixture. Water thoroughly. The plants will soon grow and fill out the container.
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