Container Gardening: some plants to choose from
Bulbs are similar to annuals—they may bloom abundantly for one season, but you can save and plant bulblets. Tulip bulbs, for example, can be planted in the autumn just at soil level. Watering your plants regularly you will have beautiful flowers in the spring. Daffodils are even easier to care for than tulips and you can achieve a longer season of blossoms.
If you want longer lasting plants, then you may choose shrubs and trees. Some of them flower, others don’t, but since these plants are going to be grown in containers, you can plant them at almost any time except for very hot weather.
Dwarf forms of myrtle, which grow very well in containers, may need pruning from time to time during dormant seasons, but this tree loves warm summers. The hotter the summer, the brighter will be your flower. Bushy forms of bougainvillea such as Temple Fire also grow well in pots and during the hot weather. Bougainvillea trees need protection when temperatures decline below 30 F, but you can prune this tree to give it shape.
Other distinctive varieties of container plants such as cacti and ferns also may give an extra style or interest to your garden. Cacti need even less water during cooler weather and very few feedings save your time. Ferns need more water and a far richer soil than do cacti, but they do not tolerate frosts or hot winds.
You may try to grow bonsai and bamboo, and you may even want to study and create well-known Japanese or bonsai gardens if you are particularly interested in this type of container gardening.