Partial Shade Container Plants
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Shade-specific container plantings brighten up low-light areas.
container garden image by andreaschneider from Fotolia.com
Looking to brighten up a shady spot on your deck or patio? Though sun-loving plants may appear to outnumber shade dwellers, many options are also available for low-light areas. Putting together an attractive container garden for shade plants is simple---gardeners just need to note how much sunlight will reach the designated area (partial shade typically means three to five hours of morning sun). Many tried and true varieties thrive in shady spaces.
Impatiens
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Impatiens are known for their vibrant, all-season blooms.
impatiens image by palms from Fotolia.com
Impatiens are a favorite in container gardens and hanging baskets. When planted in clusters, impatiens have enough fullness and color to stand alone without adding other plants. Attractive, medium-sized flowers provide a host of hues to choose from, including white, violet, coral, pink and purple. Impatiens reward gardeners with blooms throughout summer and into fall.
Coleus
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Few plants sport such elegantly painted foliage as coleus.
coleus image by cusrach from Fotolia.com
Because its flowers are generally unimpressive, coleus is grown primarily for foliage. Its leaves showcase contrasting colors and patterns, sometimes blending lime green borders with fuchsia-inspired inner areas, while other varieties don bright pink edges with deep maroon centers. Still others remain a solid pale green with little or no contrast.
Caladium
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Thanks to its unique shape and contrasting color scheme, caladium leaves stand out among container plantings.
feuille de caladium image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
Another plant grown for foliage, caladium leaves are large and may reach anywhere from 12 to 30 inches tall. These are ideal "thrillers"---plants grown for their height in container gardens---as well as their unique appearance. Green edges and veins surround pink or white centers (or vice versa), adding a distinctive contrast to each variety.
Lobelia
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Bright, trumpet-like flowers make lobelia varieties winners.
lobelia image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
Both trailing (e.g., Techno Blue) and compact lobelia (e.g., Cardinal flower) varieties are available, allowing gardeners to easily select a specific plant type to add contrast to a container. (Plants cascading over the edge of a pot are "spillers," while those growing relatively close to the soil line are "fillers.") The flowers are typically blue but red, purple and white blooms are also available. Lobelias attract wildlife, including hummingbirds and butterflies.
Sweet Alyssum
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Sweet alyssum grows low to the ground but tends to spread outward, so this plant functions best in larger containers. Its small leaves are easily overlooked from a distance due to the clusters of tiny flowers that dominate the eye. White, pink and lavender are the most common colors.
Tips
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Container gardens dry out faster than in-ground plants, so water them regularly. Some containers may require watering on a daily basis.
Save money by placing packing peanuts at the bottom of large containers---you'll use less soil this way.
While most potting soils contain fertilizer pellets, frequent watering required by container plants will deplete these reserves quickly. Add fertilizer according to the directions on the package to keep your plants in top shape.
Some stores sell flowers already arranged in a container; just select an attractive pot and plant.
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- Photo Credit container garden image by andreaschneider from Fotolia.com impatiens image by palms from Fotolia.com coleus image by cusrach from Fotolia.com feuille de caladium image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com lobelia image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
