Rethinking My Summer Containers

I've always admired pristine white porches filled with lush Boston fern hanging baskets or the log cabin homes with red geranium windowsill boxes.

How about the trending front porch steps covered with containers brimming with a bright assortment of annuals?

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As much as I appreciate the beauty of summer annuals over the last few years I've slowly been swapping out annuals for more drought resistant perennials. With a focus more on foliage and texture my containers now have four season interest and less watering.

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The plants that I've selected here below should be left in the containers to grow each year ( besides the seasonal succulents). It's important to read the plant tag as the ultimate height and width is listed as well as light requirements. The foliage on some of the plants can be just as bright as some annual flowers. I do like to pop in annuals, such as pansies, into my spring perennial containers, to add some color as I wait for the plants to start growing again.

1. PERENNIAL ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

   

2. SEDUM, SEMPERVIVUM or SEASONAL SUCCULENTS

   

3. PERENNIAL HERBS

   

4. HEUCHERA /CORAL BELLS

   

   
   

   

I hope you consider adding drought resistant perennials to one of your containers or hanging baskets this summer. It will definitely be one less plant to water as much!