How to Choose Plants for Containers

Practically anything can be grown in a container, including many trees. But, before you dash to the nursery to buy plants, take time to plan what you want from your container garden.

• Do you want to grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers? A tree?
• Where are you planning to set up your container garden?
• Is there enough light (or too much?) for the plants you want?
• Is your growing season short and you are looking for something that can be easily moved to come inside, such as a lemon tree?

After you’ve thought about the plants that you you want to grow, consider the environment and space you’ll need. Plants need light, food, air and water, but the quality and quantity varies from plant to plant and choosing the right space for your plants is critical.

Study seed packet plant descriptions, refer to Sunset’s ‘bible’ Western Garden Book, or visit online resources to find out how to grow plants with similar requirements together.

Be sure to study how large your plants will be when mature and make certain that your containers can accommodate that. While a full sized fruit tree might not be feasible, there are dwarf varieties of trees will do well in containers since they are small by nature. Make sure that the area you choose for your plant will provide adequate space for the mature size of your plants.