Which Flowers Are Best in Pots?

Colorful arrangements of attractive flowers brighten homes. Even if you don't have a lawn, you can still display a pot overflowing with blooms. When planting flowers in pots, choose carefully because some are better suited to container growing than others.

Annuals
Annuals offer showy blooms for a few months and then die off. If you want strong color, Impatiens are common container and bedding plants that come in many shades and bloom all summer long. Mix them for a multicolor display, or plant a single color for a striking effect. They are good for window boxes or hanging planters because they spill over the edges of the pot. If you prefer something more daisy-like, consider the African daisy, Swan River daisy, Brachycome or pot marigold.

Perennials
Perennials are convenient for a low-maintenance arrangement. They come back and bloom again year after year. One widely available perennial for home gardeners is the begonia, which is low maintenance and has large blooms that come in a variety of colors. Another low-maintenance perennial is lantana. The branches sport clusters of miniature flowers that change color as the plant matures. Consider Fuchsia. It come in various shades of pink or purple and has large, bell-shaped blooms that trail over the edge of the planter. Osteospermum with its star-like blooms comes in yellow, pink, purple, blue and white.

Flowering Shrubs and Trees
The benefit of planting a flowering shrub or tree is that even when the plant is not in bloom, there is still leafy foliage on display for the rest of the year. If you want a magnolia tree, but don't have the land for it, consider a star magnolia, which is compact enough for a large tub on a patio or porch. Hydrangeas are late summer bloomers that produce big bloom heads in pink, red, purple, white or blue. Lavender is known for its bluish-purple flowers and heady scent, but the gray-green shrubby leaves are attractive, year-round potted plants.

Bulbs
Miniature hybrids of gladiolus are suited for large containers. Dwarf varieties of lilies and daffodils can also thrive in containers. If tulips are your favorites, choose a low-growing species. Hyacinths, which add both color and fragrance to an area, come in a variety of colors.

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Types of Potted Flowers

Potted plants can dress up any balcony or front porch. You can change your mind about where you want them and you will not affect the delicate root system. Pots also help maintain specific growing requirements such as moisture levels, pH and soil types. Make sure the pot you choose has a good way to drain excess water to prevent root rot.

Bellflowers

Bellflowers are perennial plants that got their name because they produce bell-shaped flowers in the early summer. The stalks produce approximately a dozen purple-blue flowers and grow up to 30 inches tall. These easy to grow plants can be in a pot and will bloom in early July. Bellflowers will continue to bloom until the first frost. Make sure this potted plant is kept in full sun and has rich, well drained soil.

Butterfly Flower

The butterfly flower, also known as the butterfly milkweed, is native in the United States and is seen growing in many states. The plant does well in pots and produces bright orange flowers in mid-summer. The blooms sit atop the plants that will grow 24 to 36 inches tall. The flowers attract butterflies and they feed on the foliage. Most parts of the butterfly flower plant are toxic so make sure to keep away from children and pets. The plant prefers full to partial sun and sandy, well drained soil.

Caladiums

Caladiums are highly valued for their beautiful colored leaves and make great potted plants. All caladiums are green with a variety of colored patterns on each leaf. These plants lose a considerable amount of moisture through their large leaves so they have a rather high water requirement. The plants do well when soil is moist but not water-logged. Caladiums prefer partial shade and by placing mulch around the base of these plants will help to keep the moisture in.

Impatiens

Impatiens are perfect for pots, window boxes and hanging baskets. The plants produce small flowers in colors such as pink, white, salmon, red, orange and purple. There are many varieties of impatiens and these plants will get approximately 9 to 30 inches in width/height. These flowers prefer some sun but do not like direct sunlight. Soil must be well drained and remain moist.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/list_6542242_types-potted-flowers.html