Pot It Up

Shake up the containergarden with theseNorth America –native perennials

- MAX J. EBER

It's not just a trend; using North American native plants is increasingly the no-brainer solution for lowering garden maintenance, with the added benefit of supporting critical bio-diversity. Nothing beats something that's already at home where you garden and can therefore handle your local climate's ups and downs.

In the least, locally native plants make things easier, and what gardener doesn't want some things done easier? Access to such species keeps improving, too, making it easier (there's that great word again) to apply this eco-conscious effort to nearly any garden.

However, for many who live in apartments or condos, or for those contemplating a space with poor conditions for in-ground planting, cultivating a wildlife garden may seem impractical or even out of reach. But that's far from the truth. Can't create a native border in-ground? No problem: Use pots! Growing perennials and even hardy shrubs in pots has long been a practical answer for gardeners short on space or often on the move, and believe it or not, it can be more cost-effective over time. Most North American native perennials are no exception to this method. All it takes is matching three “rights”: the right plant, the right pot, the right potting mix.

Butterfly weed adapts to container culture, which puts its fantastic flowers closer to eye level, the better for observing the monarchs it attracts. Choose a deep pot to accommodate this prairie native's long taproot.

IN FULL SUN

Patios, decks or porches with six or more hours of direct sun can be a real scorcher, literally. Choosing native plants that enjoy bright light and dry conditions seems like an easy, straightforward fix here. However, most drought-tolerant, sun-worshipping native species tend to dislike excess mois- ture. In containers, they'll need ample drainage holes and well-draining potting mixes for success.