Lantanas and lavenders are always lovely in pots set in full sun. Although, how about something different to jazz-up those hot spots? We’ve got five easy-care shrubs that are a just-right fit for pots. Some might be entirely new to you while other are compact versions of plants you already know and love. Each is so lovely, refined and perfectly scaled that you don't need a mixed planting that needs primping all season. We call them “one-pot-wonders.” Plant once, enjoy with minimal care all summer long. These will require water and feeding, but otherwise, they’re happy left to their own devices.
We’ve chosen plants for a wide range of zones, but know that many of you face fierce summer heat. If you need specific recommendations for hot spots in your yard, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. We can help! (Check out this post for other plants that might work in your zone. Not sure of your zone? Map here.)
Flower Carpet® Amber Groundcover Rose
Roses in containers add warmth, romance, and color to sunny spots. This one is notable for it’s tolerance to heat and humidity (southern gardeners, rejoice!). Soft red buds yield a profusion of fragrant, semi-double peachy amber flowers, fading to seashell pink. Zone: 4 – 10
Diana Rose Of Sharon
You’ll need a large pot and plenty of room, but if you need something AMAZING to anchor a bed, soften a corner, or dress up a wall, this easy care beauty rewards with large, pure-white flowers that bloom abundantly and continuously all summer long. Zone: 5 – 9.
Red Prince Weigela
An under-utilized amazing shrub you need to know about. Most weigela bloom in spring but this variety does it’s thing right through summer. When you need something in pot with height, scale, color to soften a corner or dress up a wall, here you go! Zones: 4 – 8
Pink Beauty Potentilla
Colorful, carefree, super cold and heat tolerant, potentilla is not often thought of for containers, but it thrives in them. An ideal choice in colder climes when you want low maintenance flowers all summer long. Zone: 3 – 8
Baby Cakes™ Blackberry
Potted-up berries look quite elegant paired with flowering potted plants. This one’s special because it’s compact, thornless, and sized right for containers, and it produces twice a season. Place near containered roses for an English-garden look! Zone: 4 – 8
Summer Container Care Tips
- Pot up to a larger container which increases room for lots and lots of roots. Plus it provides more soil for holding moisture.
- Use a high-quality potting soil and consider adding water-holding crystals to the soil mix. Allowing soil to dry out is the number one way to stress and damage your plants.
- You’ll be watering frequently which leaches nutrients at a rapid rate. Feed regularly with a diluted liquid fertilizer (we like fish or seaweed emulsions).
- Group container where possible to allow the pots and plants to shade each other, especially in hot, afternoon sun.
- When possible, give plants some shade during the hottest part of the day. This is more about reducing your watering chores than impacting the plants.
- Speaking of watering, make sure to thoroughly moisten the root ball. Best way is to water once, let drain, water a second time, and top off with a third drink. Too much? Drip irrigation kits for pots are not expensive and readily-available at garden centers. Add a timer for even less work!
- Top off with a few inches of mulch. It not only adds a finishing touch, but it really does help to hold moisture.