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Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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Posted by jeniwren11 Southern Australia (My Page) on Wed, Mar 1, 06 at 11:18
Hi, we moved into the an apartment in the city recently. We have a 6x8m terrace & are on the 21st floor so I can only garden in pots. Our terrace faces south-east so it gets sun for most of the morning and all the sea-gales from 2.30ish onwards.
I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions as to what I can grow please? I already have 4 roses and 2 pots of bamboo growing but I want to add other plants.
I'm currently using large plastic pots or terracotta with crushed quartz/marble as mulch.
Thaks for your time.
Jen |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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| Hi jeniwren11 - have you had a peek at the GW square foot garden forum - that may give you some ideas or the container garden forum at http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/contain/ cheers |
Here is a link that might be useful: square foot garden forum
RE: Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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| Thanks paradisi...it might be of help if I could figure out what zones correspond with ours here...:)) Jen |
RE: Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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| hi jeniwren11 - try the usa national arboretum map and plant lists at http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ adelaide city (am I wrongly assuming southern australia is south australia?)probably zone 10 - very few frosts the list of indicator plants may be more helpful: zone 10 can grow
Bougainvillea spectabilis (Bougainvillea)
Cassia fistula (Golden shower)
Eucalyptus citriodora (Lemon eucalyptus)
Ficus elastica (Rubber plant)
Ensete ventricosum (Ensete)
Roystonea regia (Royal palm) without any problems hope that helps |
RE: Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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| Jen, You are going to be exposed to some pretty harsh conditions. I really would recommend natives. A tour of those exposed clifftops along your coastline will show you just how well some natives can grow. Westringias, Banksias etc. etc., even a few Grevilleas. As well, consider some of the mediterreanean plants as well, even maybe a citrus or Lavenders of some sort. Make sure your pots are not too small as they can dry out quickly and heat up terribly in those harsh summers. If you observe those coastal plants in their natural situation, they are often quite stunted. A good clipping will keep plants nice and tightly compact which will inhance their ability to handle the harsh weather conditions. |
RE: Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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| THANK YOU! I'm in Melbourne. It is very harsh on plants up here. I was hoping to find something other than Aussie natives. Good to hear that Lavenders might cope. I have a few roses and some cottage garden plants but want something to provide a back-drop for them...can anyone recomend any conifers or something like them that may cope with our conditions?? Thank you again. Jen |
RE: Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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| I don't know much about conifers but there are many ficus varieties that would handle those conditions. Large or small leaf, weeping or upright, variegated or green. |
RE: Gardening in Pots Only...advice sought.
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| I agree with goldhills, ficus make great container plants. Also look at Cordyline, Dracaena, succulents such as the aloes, Stapeliads, agave etc. If you want flowers you could try orchids, Cymbidiums and Dendrobiums. Portulaca is very colourful and hardy too. Water loss by evaporation will be your main problem so choose plants which are efficient at storing and perserving water. |
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