When using a side planting containers it is important to select the right plants. Since these plants are literally planted sideways, some like it while others do not and may quickly die.
Here are the results for our trials of side plantings and a list of the plants that did well in our side planters:
- Wax begonias – I tried many types and all thrived! They are a valuable plant for these containers because, most are grown from seed and are so inexpensive.
- Coleus – Fabulous! Use the giant coleus both in the sides as well as for a centerpiece. It doesn’t grow as large in the sides. Be careful of the ‘Wizard’ mix because of problems encountered by many in the 2005 season.
- Impatiens – Wonderful. All types thrived, including ‘Little Lizzie’, New Guineas, and doubles.
- Trailing torenia – Wonderful. Lasted longer than the upright torenia.
- Purple queen – The plant did well, but didn’t look great. It tends to stick out a bit awkwardly, as if it can’t make up its mind whether to trail or clump!
- Dragon wing begonias – One of the best performers of our trials. They are slower to start than the wax begonias, but have a higher percentage ofcolor in the long run.
- Pansies and violas – Great! I tried many different types, and they thrived.
- Creeping Jenny – Gardeners love this one!
- Lamium – I loved lamium with different shades of purple.
- Melampodium – Did well in most instances. Tends to grow a bit larger than many of the others I used with it, like wax begonias and upright torenia.
- Scaevola – Both the white and the blue did beautifully.