The Best Perennials And Bulbs For Containers

Caladium and Begonias, grown from bulbs, are lovely options for container gardens!

by Amanda

Whether you’re gardening on a balcony in the city, or on acres of land, containers are a great addition to any garden. They give you a chance to express your style and brighten up an outdoor living space. We offer a beauiful variety of perennial for containers and container-happy bulbs, so you can create a unique statement with a stunning container garden. Containers are a great way to experiment and have fun with gardening. Regardless of the size of your land, there are endless possibilities when it comes to growing in containers! It’s a great way to get creative with your favorite plant varieties.

The key to a successful container garden, especially when planting perennials, is to make sure your containers have good drainage and you start with a rich potting soil. A little fertilizer once you plant is also a good idea to give your plants the best chance to grow healthy and produce vibrant blooms. Also, make sure to check the light requirements for the varieties you’re planting and place your containers accordingly.

The Best Perennials For Containers

Look for smaller, compact or “dwarf” perennials to perform best in containers. When shopping, you can use the filters to narrow down your selection of plant heights and plants that are good for containers.

Make sure to take into account the height of the plant when deciding which container to plant it in, since you want to make sure the roots have plenty of room to grow!

We recommend:

Hostas add interest to containers with their gorgeous foliage.

Phenomenal Lavender has it all: exceptionally tolerant of both high heat and harsh winter, this easy-to-grow lavender even shows resistance to the effects of humidity. Highly fragran...
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Phenomenal® Lavender Lavender Phenomenal® PP#24193 Lavandula x intermedia Phenomenal PP#24193
As low as $10.65 Sale $7.98
Per Plant - 3" Pot

Phenomenal Lavender has it all: exceptionally tolerant of both high heat and harsh winter, this easy-to-grow lavender even shows resistance to the effects of humidity. Highly fragrant with concentrated essential oils, Phenomenal's spikes of purple-blue flowers attract butterflies and bees to the garden. Edible, deer-resistant and fast-growing, this silver-leafed lavender has left all other new introductions in the dust! (Lavandula x intermedia) PP#24193
Coreopsis Berry Chiffon has delightful petals with raspberry hued centers and white edges. Developed to be disease resistant, deer resistant, and drought tolerant ensures your enjoy...
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Berry Chiffon Coreopsis Berry Chiffon Tickseed PP#27414 Coreopsis verticillata Berry Chiffon PP#27414
$10.65 Sale $7.98
Per Plant - 3" Pot

Coreopsis Berry Chiffon has delightful petals with raspberry hued centers and white edges. Developed to be disease resistant, deer resistant, and drought tolerant ensures your enjoyment of this prolific bloomer. No deadheading needed to help Berry Chiffon produce flowers from early summer to early fall. (Coreopsis)
'Prairie Blues' is an exceptional variety of native Little Bluestem Grass, selected for its vibrant color and compact growth. Fine leaf blades shine with a more intense blue color th...
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Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass Schizachyrium scoparium Prairie Blues
As low as $17.32 Sale $12.99
Per Plant - 3" Pot

'Prairie Blues' is an exceptional variety of native Little Bluestem Grass, selected for its vibrant color and compact growth. Fine leaf blades shine with a more intense blue color than most of the species, and late summer brings slender deep-purple plumes atop the foliage for an added layer of color. In autumn, small, airy, silver-white seed heads glisten in the autumn sun, against foliage that shifts to a warm bronze-orange color. Leave standing over winter to enjoy the colors and textures. An outstanding choice for both formal structured mass plantings and natural-looking landscapes. An exceptionally cold-hardy grass. (Schizachyrium scoparium)
'Baby Joe' Dwarf Joe Pye Weed is the solution for butterfly lovers short on space in the garden. This compact variety grows to a manageable 2-3’ tall and limits its spread. 'Baby J...
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Baby Joe Dwarf Pye Weed Dwarf Pye Weed Baby Joe PP#20320 Eupatorium dubium Baby Joe PP#20320
$9.32 Sale $6.99
Per Plant - 3" Pot

'Baby Joe' Dwarf Joe Pye Weed is the solution for butterfly lovers short on space in the garden. This compact variety grows to a manageable 2-3’ tall and limits its spread. 'Baby Joe' has gorgeous purple blooms that add sweet fragrance to the late-season garden, supplying butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees with vital nectar. Deer resistant. (Eupatorium dubium) PP#20320

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The Best Bulbs For Containers

Spring Planted, Summer-Blooming Bulbs produce some of the most spectacular flowers of the season, and they are prime candidates for show-stopping containers. As with our perennial plants, when shopping, you can use the filters to narrow down your selection of plant heights and bulbs that are good for containers.

We recommend:

Caladium
Begonias
Dahlias - especially compact varieties such as Dark Angel Dahlia
Peacock Orchids
Elephant Ears
Calla Lilies
Nerine Lilies
Anemones
Ranunculus

'Fire Pot' Dahlia is one of the brightest blooms in the garden! Water lily-like flowers arrive mid summer in a brilliant coral-pink, and open to reveal showy yellow streaks. A semi ...
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Firepot Decorative Dahlia Firepot Decorative Dahlia Decorative Dahlia Firepot
As low as $19.99 Sale $14.99
Per Bag of 3

'Fire Pot' Dahlia is one of the brightest blooms in the garden! Water lily-like flowers arrive mid summer in a brilliant coral-pink, and open to reveal showy yellow streaks. A semi dinner plate dahlia that produces an abundance of 4” wide blooms on sturdy stalks, plant 'Fire Pot' in full sun and cut fresh flowers often to inspire the appearance of new buds. (Dahlia)
A gorgeous flower with many identities: Belladonna Lily, Naked Ladies, or Belladonna Amaryllis, this plant produces green, leafy growth that emerges in spring and dies back by mid su...
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Belladonna Lily or Naked Ladies Belladonna Lily, Naked Ladies Amaryllis belladonna
As low as $19.99 Sale $14.99
Per Bag of 1

A gorgeous flower with many identities: Belladonna Lily, Naked Ladies, or Belladonna Amaryllis, this plant produces green, leafy growth that emerges in spring and dies back by mid summer. In late summer, leafless stems produce elegant, pink flowers. Belladonna Lilies are hardy in zones 7 - 11 and are considered annuals in all other zones. (Amaryllis belladonna)
This Shade Porch Bulb Collection is a showcase of stunning red flowers and foliage for shade gardens and container plantings on the porch. Huge Double Scarlet Begonia flowers bloom a...
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Shade Porch Red Bulb Collection Shade Porch Red Bulb Collection
$23.98 Sale $17.98
Per Collection of 6

This Shade Porch Bulb Collection is a showcase of stunning red flowers and foliage for shade gardens and container plantings on the porch. Huge Double Scarlet Begonia flowers bloom a brilliant red against the multi-colored leaves of Red Flash Caladium, painted in red, pink, and green hues. Contrasting foliage textures add interest to this easy-to-grow pair. Collection of 6 bulbs.
'White Florist' Calla Lily is the original Calla from South Africa, where it made its home in the wet soils of stream banks. Here, it's famous for its pristine, white blossoms that a...
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White Florist Calla Lily White Florist Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
As low as $11.99 Sale $8.99
Per Bag of 1

'White Florist' Calla Lily is the original Calla from South Africa, where it made its home in the wet soils of stream banks. Here, it's famous for its pristine, white blossoms that are taller than other callas, at up to 3'. The perfectly-fluted flowers are an essential addition to bouquets. Plant 'White Florist' in a big pot on your patio, give it plenty of water and stand back! (Zantedeschia aethiopica)