SunLive Competition

Growing plants in containers is a popular way to bring patios, outdoor rooms and the garden to life. Plants soften edges, add colour, vibrancy and in some cases perfume to areas where they are placed. Often referred to as the garden’s accessories, cleverly placed pots and containers create a statement, just like a necklace or belt added to an outfit. Containers create focal points to enhance areas of the garden, and draw your eye away from places you don’t want highlighted. By Rachel Vogan

The list of plants that happily thrive in pots and containers is almost endless. They range from edible wonders such as dwarf fruit trees, to lemons and limes and endless vegetable crops, through to the flower power of roses, geraniums, petunias, poppies, dahlias and more.

For fragrant options, try Gardenia, Star Jasmine, Rosemary or Daphne. Mix and matching different plant combinations is lots of fun and enables you to change your garden each season in a very cost effective way. Flowers can be planted under topiaries or fruit trees. Strawberries are fabulous with parsley in hanging baskets. New on the patio bling scene this season is Petunia Raspberry Blast, a colourful character which smoothers itself in raspberry and pink-coloured flowers all season. It’s a must for sunny outdoor living rooms all over the country.

Generally most plants can adapt to life in a container providing they have enough room for their root zone, plenty of fertiliser, water and the correct sun or shade requirements. Be aware that containers restrict the root growth of plants; this has an affect on how tall or wide a plant can grow. Not only the leaves and flowers need room to grow but also the root zone. Roots are the engine room of the plant, and need care and attention to reward you with colour, vibrancy, texture or fragrance.

Tips for container gardening success:

• Site: place your pot/container carefully - your site will govern what plant types will happily thrive; choose plants that suit the situation.
• Pot and containers vary in shape, size and colour. Ensure the container is big enough to house the plants you wish to grow. Haxnicks Patio Planters come in a range of colours and provide a very effective planting option.
• Drainage: all pots and containers require drainage holes. Don’t be fooled and think if there are no holes it will save on watering. The roots may drown or root diseases will occur.
• Plant choice is endless, have a bit of fun and add your own personality to your plant combinations. Bulbs, flowers and herbs make brilliant planting combinations with strong foliage plants. Change them as often as you like.
• Potting mix: choose wisely; seek out Pot Power, the crème de la crème of potting mixes.  It is specifically designed for container gardening.  The lightweight mixture contains a full range of additives that can sustain plants for up to six months. Tui Outdoor Container Mix is ideal for growing plants like natives and grasses in large pots. All Purpose Potting Mixes will work but not as well.   
• Watering: keep plants well watered, deep watering a few times a week is ideal. Light watering daily encourages the roots to stay near the surface, meaning the plant may not be well anchored in the pot and could blow over. When pots and containers dry out, it’s very hard to get the moisture back into the soil. Always blend in re-wetting granules like Saturaid. It enables the soil to hold onto moisture and make it available to the plants. 
• Feeding: potting mixes will need to be topped up with slow release fertiliser each season to ensure blooming results. Use a controlled release plant food like Osmocote Pots, or Planters and Indoors every 6 months. For a quick fix ‘pick me up’ of nutrients try Tui Eco-Fert.
• Movement: twist your pots and containers around frequently to ensure all sides get even amounts of light.
• Phone a friend: with the holiday season looming, ask a friend or neighbour to pop in and water your pots and containers while you are away - your plants will thank you for it.
• Re-potting: check your potted plants seasonally. The only sure way to discover the state of the roots is to remove the plant from its container and examine them carefully.

If fresh root tips are showing over the surface of the root ball, or forming a thick spiral at the base, then re-potting into a larger container is necessary.

Containers are versatile because they are portable and easy to maintain, and a well planted and placed container will last for years with a little water and regular TLC. 

Win: Go in the draw to win a container gardening kit valued at $70, featuring 40 litres of Debco Pot Power, a Haxnicks Space Saver Raised Bed and Saturaid with SunLive. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. To enter, you must be logged in, if you are new click here to register for free!

Competition Results

Colleen Mes
Tauranga