By Justin Hancock, Costa Farms Horticulturist
Photographs courtesy of Costa Farms
Looking to give your container gardens an upgrade this season? Try augmenting your annuals with easy-care tropical houseplants to enjoy for years. Here are some tips.
Start in the Shade
Most houseplants aren’t acclimated to the sun, and putting them right outside in the sun’s rays will cause the leaves to burn. But you don’t have to worry about this in shaded conditions. Variegated houseplants, especially those with white- or cream-marked leaves (such as White Calcite Aglaonema, shown here with Heuchera) are particularly impactful in the shade.
Play Up Foliage
While a lot of us look to flowering plants for our outdoor containers, houseplants provide lush, leafy foliage. Employ bold, colorful foliage (like the Petra croton here with Sanvitalia) to give your containers a tropical look that sets them apart.
Enjoy Versatile Varieties
Easy-care, versatile houseplants like snake plant are fabulous choices because they tolerate just about any conditions (as long as they’re not sopping wet or get too chilly). Here, snake plant stuns with silvery dusty miller and blue petunias.
Go All-Out Houseplants
You don’t need to mix your houseplants with annuals or other plants to create stunning containers. Try combining some of your favorites for a pot you can just take in and out with the seasons. Here, for example, Siam Aurora Aglaonema adds color to variegated spider plant and Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia.
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By Heirloom Roses
Images courtesy of Heirloom Roses
Insects can create quite a headache for rose lovers. But think about a proactive approach for your garden’s health instead of a reactive response once the pests arrive.
Think beneficial insects. Click here for an informative article on the topic.
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