Choosing Plants For Container Gardening Bamboos, Grasses, Ferns And Spiky Plants

Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo)

Form:

spreading bamboo

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 7 to 10

Situation:

sun or partial shade, protect from cold winds

Height:

2-3m (6-10ft)

Spread:

as wide as your container allows

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: A graceful arching evergreen with lance shaped dark green leaves. The green stems turn black in their second or third year. A great feature plant.

Do not plant it in a container with a narrow neck otherwise it will become stuck - a wooden half barrel is a good choice.

Sasa palmata f. nebulosa (Palm Bamboo)

Form:

spreading bamboo

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 6 to 10

Situation:

prefers partial to full shade

Height:

1.5-2m (4.5-6ft)

Spread:

as wide as your container allows

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: Green canes streaked with purple and striking palm like leaves make this a handsome specimen plant. Very useful for giving a tropical feel to your planting scheme. It likes to be sheltered from winter winds to prevent leaf browning.

Again, do not plant it in a container with a narrow neck otherwise it will become stuck.

Festuca glauca (Sheep's Fescue, Blue Fescue)

Form:

perennial grass

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 4 to 8

Situation:

sun to partial shade

Height:

30cm (12in)

Spread:

25cm (10in)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: A very well behaved evergreen ornamental grass with dense tufts of blue green leaves.

Although it seems rather unassuming, I think it is great for adding winter interest and acting as a foil to other plants.

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Golden Japanese Forest Grass, Hakone Grass)

Form:

perennial grass

Foliage:

deciduous

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 5 to 9

Situation:

sun to partial shade

Height:

40cm (16in)

Spread:

50cm (20in)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: This elegant grass has graceful yellow leaves striped with green and cream and an arching habit which allows it to cascade over the side of its container. Delicate red brown flower spikes are produced in late summer, and the leaves themselves flush red in the autumn.

Looks absolutely stunning in a simple oriental inspired ceramic container.

Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)

Form:

perennial grass

Foliage:

deciduous

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 7 to 10

Situation:

sun

Height:

60cm (2ft)

Spread:

30cm (1ft)

Reasons to grow: This versatile deciduous grass looks great in a large container. Its wispy, pale yellow-green leaves are topped with fluffy plumes of silver-green flowers fading to blonde.

The fountains of billowing leaves and flowers are ideal for introducing movement into your planting scheme.

Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's Tongue Fern)

Form:

fern

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 6 to 8

Situation:

full shade

Height:

70cm (27.5in)

Spread:

60cm (24in)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: This evergreen fern has prehistoric looking glossy tongue-shaped fronds that unfurl in early spring and provide year round interest. Some varieties, such as Asplenium scolopendrium 'Crispum', have unusual crested margins.

This fern is a true shade loving plant and the leaves will discolour if it receives more than a couple of hours of sunshine a day.

Blechnum spicant (Hard Fern)

Form:

fern

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 5 to 8

Situation:

partial to deep shade

Height:

30-75cm (12-30in)

Spread:

30-45cm (12-18in)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: Grow this evergreen fern for year round interest and as a foil for flowering bulbs throughout the year. Over time, the leathery, dark green fronds spread out to form an attractive rosette.

Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)

Form:

fern

Foliage:

deciduous

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 3 to 9

Situation:

light or partial shade, keep moist

Height:

90cm to 2m (3 to 6.5ft)

Spread:

up to 1m (3ft)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: This large distinguished looking deciduous fern is definitely worth growing if you are prepared to keep it well watered. Its bright green fronds gradually unfurl and then turn bronze in autumn and the divided foliage contrasts well with other foliage plants.

Good in a large container to allow it to achieve its full size.

Cordyline australis (Cabbage Palm)

Form:

tree

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - frost hardy; USDA zones 8 to 11

Situation:

full sun to partial shade

Height:

2-3m (6-10ft)

Spread:

1m (3ft)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: An architectural, palm-like tree with striking spiky leaves. Mature specimens produce clusters of creamy flowers in summer, followed by blue black berries. Purple and variegated varieties are also available giving lots of options.

Useful as a focal point, accent plant or a centrepiece in a large container surrounded by flowering and trailing plants.

In colder areas plants may need winter protection - either cover with horticultural fleece or move into an unheated greenhouse. In my own garden I've found the purple leaved varieties to be more prone to frost and wind damage than the green leaved ones. The photo shows one of my green-leaved specimens rimed with frost during a cold snap and it has yet to come to any harm!

Eventually your plant may become too large to remain as a container plant but it can then be easily transplanted into a suitable border.

Phormium tenax (New Zealand Flax)

Form:

perennial

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - frost hardy; USDA zones 8 to 10

Situation:

full sun

Height:

2m (6ft)

Spread:

1m (3ft)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: Another very striking architectural foliage plant with upright sword-shaped leaves, green above and blue green beneath. In summer more mature plants produce very tall spikes of reddish flowers and these remain as seedheads during the winter months.

Some varieties have bronze or striped foliage - the photo shows the variety P. tenax 'Pink Stripe'.

Excellent in minimalist and urban settings and also very tolerant of coastal conditions.

Like the Cordyline it may need winter protection in colder areas - either cover with horticultural fleece or move into an unheated greenhouse or well-lit room.

Yucca spp (Needle Palm)

Form:

shrub

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - fully to frost hardy; USDA zones 5 to 11 depending on species

Situation:

full sun

Height:

1-1.5m (3-4.5ft)

Spread:

up to 1m (3ft)

Awards:

many hold the RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: These spiky evergreen shrubs make excellent container specimens with dramatic sword shaped leaves and panicles of usually white flowers in summer. They look particularly good in an urban or minimalist scheme or mediterranean style courtyard.

Yucca filamentosa is probably the hardiest, so choose this if you live in a colder area. (The photo shows the very stiking Y. filamentosa 'Bright Edge'.) More tender cultivars can be covered with horticultural fleece or moved into an unheated greenhouse or well-lit room in the winter months.