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.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/info_7984414_flowers-pots.html