SF container gardening (xpost)

17 years ago

Hi,

We're moving to a rental home in San Francisco in August. I'd like to do some containers for the deck. I'm a beginning gardener anway and this will be a big change for me--I did mostly perenials in the ground in a rather different climate, so I would really appreciate any help.

I'd like flowers, maybe some attractive foliage. Preferred colors are blue, pink, red and white. I suspect the yard is mostly shade and we are in a foggy part of town. I'd be planting towards the end of August for fall into winter.

Suggestions for plants, nurseries (online or bricks and mortar), containers, soil, etc welcome!

Thank you!

Catherine

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Comments (4)

gardenguru1950
17 years ago
These should do very well for you:

Abutilon megapotamica TRAILING ABUTILON
Alstroemeria dwarves DWARF PERUVIAN LILY
Antirrhinum trailing hybrids TRAILING SNAPDRAGONS
Antirrhinum SNAPDRAGON
Asparagus ASPARAGUS "FERNS"
Billbergia nutans QUEENÂS TEARS
Campanula isophylla ITALIAN BELLFLOWER
Carex SEDGES (many)
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' SPIDER PLANT
Clivia CLIVIA
Cymbalaria muralis KENILWORTH IVY
Davallia fejeensis plumosa RABBIT'S FOOT FERN
Dianella FLAX LILY
Glechoma hederacea variegata GROUND IVY
Hedera helix ENGLISH IVY
Laurentia axillaris BLUE STARS
Liriope LILY TURF
Lysimachia nummularia CREEPING JENNY
Lysimachia nummularia aurea GOLDEN CREEPING JENNY
Mimulus x hybridus MONKEY FLOWER
Ophiopogon japonicus MONDO GRASS
Pericallis (Senecio) x hybrida CINERARIA
Persicaria (Polygonum) capitata PINK KNOTWEED
Persicaria ÂLangthorneÂs VarietyÂ, ÂPainterÂs PaletteÂ,
ÂRed DragonÂ PAINTED KNOTWEED
Phlebodium aureum HAREÂS FOOT FERN
Platycerium bifurcatum STAGHORN FERN
Primula PRIMROSE
Saxifraga sarmentosa STRAWBERRY SAXIFRAGE
Setcreasea purpurea PURPLE HEART
Sutera cordifolia and hybrids BACOPA
Vinca major ÂVariegataÂ VINCA VINE
Zantedeschia aethiopica dwarfs CALLA-LILIES

Joe
wanda
17 years ago
Ivy Geraniums are always a long blooming source of color.
Primrose and Cyclamen are classic long blooming winter color.
The tall Ageratum (Lelani?) acts as a perennial for me and blooms non-stop year round with deadheading.
Fibrous Begonias might also be a possibility.
Fuschias, too.

wanda
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crl_
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for the wonderful suggestions! Off to find pictures. . . .
BettyN
17 years ago
Take a look at the Sunset Western Garden book. In the beginning of the book there are lists for special circumstances, including containers and shade gardens.

As far as interesting foliage, I would recommend philadendra monstera, and Janapese Arelia I've had both in pots for 4-5 years and they're doing fine.

I've also had hydrangeas in pots for many years - at least 10-12. This is the first year that they aren't looking so great, so it may be time to get some new plants. If you choose hydrandeas, some bloom only on old wood and need to be pruned after blooming, not in the spring (this one's in the live and learn fle for me).

Good luck!

BettyN