Container gardening with native plants

Add beauty to your outdoor living space and support pollinators by filling outdoor pots and containers with colorful native plants this summer. Why native plants? Life as we know it depends on native pollinators. Over time, native insects and native plants have evolved together. If native insects were to disappear, most flowering plants would go extinct. This would change the physical structure and energy flow of most terrestrial habitats, which would cause the rapid collapse of the food webs that support amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (including humans). Collectively, we are the best hope for the survival of pollinators. We can save them by changing the way we landscape. If you live in an apartment or have a small yard, you may think you cannot help. But you can still provide a habitat for pollinators by planting a container and placing it on your balcony, patio or deck. To have the biggest impact on our environment, consider using keystone native plants in your containers. Keystone plants are called as such because they promote insect populations. These insects pollinate plants and provide food for birds and other animals. Keystone plants generate a network of relationships that support numerous other species that impact the overall health of the local ecosystem and food web. Without keystone plants in the landscape, biodiversity declines dramatically. The following native plants are considered keystone plants in our area and can be used in container gardening. Smooth aster is a full-sun perennial with a height of 2 to 4 feet that blooms late summer through fall. Water requirement is low to average. The small and densely blooming flowers are a striking blue to purple color with a golden-yellow center. This plant has no serious pests or diseases. Woodland sunflower is a partial-sun perennial with low water requirements. It grows 2 to 6 feet and blooms during the summer and fall. The Woodland sunflower produces a profusion of 2-inch yellow flowers that are attractive to many species. This plant is deer-resistant and relatively pest- and disease-free. Black-eyed Susan is a full-sun perennial growing to a height of 2 to 3 feet with low to average water requirements. It produces 3-inch blooms and flowers during the summer and fall. Black-Eyed Susan can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It has no serious pests or diseases and is deer resistant. Lanceleaf coreopsis is a full-sun perennial with a height of 1 to 2 feet. Flowers are produced late spring and continue through mid-summer. Water requirements are low. This attractive yellow flower draws a wide array of native pollinators. In the right conditions, this plant grows quickly and can self-seed. It is relatively free of pests and naturally resistant to deer. Orange Coneflower is a full-sun to partial-sun perennial with average water requirements. It grows to 2 to 4 feet and blooms mid-summer through fall. This bright flower blooms profusely in full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It is low maintenance, highly disease-tolerant, deer-resistant and attracts butterflies. Blanketflower or firewheel is a full-sun, short-lived perennial that will continually produce flowers during the growing season. It grows 1 to 2 feet with low water requirements. This showy flower has a striking red center up to two inches wide and abundant nectar. This easy-to-grow plant attracts no serious pests or diseases. Wreath goldenrod is a full-sun to partial-sun perennial growing 1 to 3 feet. It blooms late summer through fall with low to average water requirements. This plant bears a profusion of flowers in late summer that are highly attractive to a variety of species. This less-aggressive goldenrod is deer-resistant with no serious pests or diseases. Native plants typically have extensive roots systems, so you will need to use large pots. Your container should have at least one hole in the bottom to ensure proper drainage. Since some of the native plants will grow tall; you may need a stake or trellis to support the plants. Many of the native plants are perennials, so they may come back year after year and you can leave the pots outside. During the cold seasons, you will need to place the pots in a protected or semi-sheltered area. Consider using plastic pots since they are the least likely to crack during the cold months. If you have been contemplating starting a garden, container gardening is a good way to jump into a hobby that you just may grow to love! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, "Master Gardeners of Hancock County Ohio", for information on upcoming events, classes and gardening tips. Woolum is an Ohio State University Extension — Hancock County Master Gardener volunteer.