Can perennials survive winter in pots?
Your perennials and containers may need a bit of extra care to survive the winter. The small amount of soil in a container garden is usually not enough to protect the perennial’s roots from winter damage. First make sure your container is winter-proof. As soil freezes it expands and can crack clay and ceramic pots. Planting perennials after the last spring frost or at least 4 weeks before autumn frosts are expected in your area can help you avoid cold-damaged plants too. Just be sure to get your plants in the soil before hot summer weather kicks in. May is an ideal time for many perennials.
What can you plant in pots in September?
While there are plenty of stunning autumn and winter plants you can pot up in September – from classic options, like pansies and cyclamen, to more obscure options, such as Japanese maples and ornamental cabbages – you can also prep your containers with bulbs for the springtime, too. It’s also a good month to plant autumn-flowering bulbs such as colchicums and flowers that will bring instant colour to fading borders. Plants such as marigolds and shrubs like caryopteris can also be planted in pots, but these will have to be watered frequently to stop them drying out.