Advice Needed How To Care For Container Plants in Toronto

9 years ago

Hi All,

Started a balcony container plant garden this year that went well, but now I need some advice on how best to over-winter the plants. I live in Toronto on an escarpment overlooking Lake Ontario, which seems to have some moderating effect. Couple of the very large pots contain a Bloodgood Japanese maple and a Tiger Eyes Sumac. Another slightly smaller pot contains a Corkscrew Hazel. Balance of the smaller pots contain; a lavender, dwarf hydrangea, Dwarf Japanese Spruce, and some other dwarf shrub.

Thinking the stuff in the smaller pots should be transplanted into my garden for winter, but really don't want to do that with the Japanese Maple, Sumac and Corkscrew Hazel, ...if I can help it. These pots are on rollers that I can roll to a covered sheltered area on balcony.

Any advice on how to go about planting smaller stuff in garden and or storing larger potted plants over the winter here in Toronto would be greatly appreciated!!!

Comments (3)

Geneviève
9 years ago
You will need to bring some of those inside if you want them for next year .if you , a friend or relative that can store them for you in a green house or a heated garage that would be perfect ,we keep ours in the heated garage and water them very little during the winter months .

Planting any bulbs like Dahlias for example is out of the question ,you can do so in the Spring but will need to dig them out in the Fall ,and keep them in a dry place until the following Spring. Plants that are tolerant to our Canadian climate ,are a few ,Hosta is one of them ,Sedum , your little red maple can be planted directly into the ground and will survive our did :) Lavender as well , Marigold .. save the seeds or get new ones next year.
bajanrolf thanked Geneviève
PRO
Decorative Philosophy
9 years ago
Ditch the annuals. The trees will be fine if you keep them in an area that is not so exposed.
Some things just aren't meant to be in climates that vary. I am sure you enjoyed them all summer, so thanks for the memories!
Regards,
Karen & Joseph
for Decorative Philosophy
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Kivi
9 years ago
Those trees will not be fine if left in those pots outside. They look like ceramic pots and almost certainly they will crack during the winter if they are ceramic. The Japanese maple and hazel are hardy for a Toronto winter, but not when planted in containers like those. Balcony container plantings are subject to a much harsher winter experience than when planted in the ground. If you don't want to unplant them from the containers you may have success by moving the pots to an unheated garage where they can still go dormant but are protected. The small annual type plants are not worth overwintering.
bajanrolf thanked Kivi