Almost every punch in offlowering annualand most perennials can be grown successfully in containers.
For extended beauty, don’t overcrowd the container so the plants have some room to grow.
When mixing different plant types, ensure they have the same sun and moisture tolerance.
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Here are some of the best sun- and shade-loving flowers for containers.
Geranium
Geranium blooms officially declare the start of summer.
Provide plenty of sunlight, moisture, and deadhead often for lush foliage and blooms.
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Want a trailing geranium?
Once the blooms disappear the dark green, glossy, leathery foliage remains to add interest to the container.
SunPatiens
Grab a pack of these annuals for continuous blooms in your container until the first frost.
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Nasturtium
Planting nasturtium seeds is one of my first gardening memories.
I loved the parasol-shaped leaves and the bright yellow and orange blooms.
There are multiple cultivars that perform well in all hardiness zones.
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The blooms are trumpet-shaped in usually variegated white, yellow, pink, and purple tones.
Mandevilla
You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical island with mandevilla in your containers.
Be sure to add a trellis for vining varieties because they can grow up to 20 feet.
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Fuschia
It’s the blooms that draw you to a fuchsia.
The magenta to red, singular or double, drooping, tubular flowers have prominent stamens.
Often used in hanging baskets, the plant (technically a deciduous shrub) does well in containers.
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Protect it from direct sun in the afternoons to keep it blooming profusely.
But this is a totally different species and part of the nightshade family.
With a trailing habit, these plants will bloom nonstop without having to deadhead spent blooms.
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The five-petaled flowers can be bicolored, single, or double depending on the variety.
Cuttings root well if you need extra plants.
Sow seeds or use greenhouse transplants and you’ll have blooms in no time.
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This plant is easy-care and doesn’t need frequent watering as it produces dozens of flower clusters.
Pick your favorite color -red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white or variegated.
Each one will attract butterflies until the first frost appears.
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Petunia
Petunias are another Southern classic found in window boxes and porch containers.
Pinch back or prune plants if they become leggy for a bushier plant and more flowers.
Zinnia
Zinnias are quick-growing, heat-tolerant, easy-care flowers that are perfect for containers.
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Pinch back young seedlings for a bushier plant and deadhead spent flowers to keep the blooms coming.
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