Around the west in 21 pots

Sunset, May, 2000 by Kathleen N. Brenzel

Each Western state inspires its own container plantings

From coastal chaparral to alpine meadows, the West is blessed with an awe-inspiring range of landscapes and vegetations. Taking our cue from nature, we set out to design container gardens that celebrate the diverse beauty of our 13 Western states. We turned to the West's magnificent landscapes--deserts, wildflower meadows, rain forests, prairies, and beaches--and to the plants that grow there. We visited nurseries to see which plants combined well for color and texture. We gathered pots. Then we planted.

Each design starts with an anchor plant--a small tree, shrub, or ornamental grass. Around the anchors, we arranged annuals and perennials, some of them native to the state. Whenever possible, we included state flowers (to learn which ones can grow in pots, see page 163). Most of the plants came from 4-inch pots, some from gallon cans.

The largest pots are really like small gardens; display them singly on a patio. The smaller pots are handsome in groups of two or three. With a few exceptions, most of these plantings can grow anywhere in the West. (Desert gardeners might find growing vine maples a bit of a stretch, and gardeners up north would find tender tropicals a challenge to keep growing beyond one season without a greenhouse.) For pot sources, see page 91.

California

FOOTHILLS FANTASY (PAGES 152-153)

Grasses, reminiscent of those that cover California's foothills in late summer, fill these large containers. Their billowy forms and earthy hues contrast pleasingly with the cool blue flowers and rich green foliage planted around them. Sun or light shade. Design: Tisa Watts.

Plants. Left: Fountain grass (Penniseturn setaceum 'Rubrum'), with Salvia sinaloensis (deep blue flowers). Center: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Goodwin Creek Grey'), with blue-flowered Convolvulus mauritanicus. Right: Miscanthus sinensis 'Yaku Jima', with Scaevola aemula 'New Wonder'.

Pots. Glascrete bowls; 24 inches wide, 22 inches deep.

HOLLYWOOD HEAT

Hot colors that stand up to bright sun keep this pot sizzling with blooms all season. A splash of blue-purple tempers the visual heat. Sun. Design: Bud Stuckey.

Plants. Left: Purple bougainvillea, with yellow Lantana montevidensis 'Spreading Sunshine', orange-and-yellow L.m. 'Radiation', and sea lavender (Lirnonium perezil). Right: 'Radiation' lantana.

Pots. Ocher-stained terra-cotta: tall pot 20 inches wide, 16 inches deep; small pot 14 inches wide, 10 1/2 inches deep.

Washington

PUGET SOUND'S PRIDE

Plants that thrive in woodland gardens west of the Cascades fill this large container. The rhododendron blooms in late May, followed by astilbe's feathery pink-coral blooms in June and July. Choose a dwarf rhododendron such as 'Bow Bells' or 'Ginny Gee'. Or buy a young, small rhododendron in a 1- or 2-gallon can and grow it in the pot for a season before transplanting to the garden. Filtered shade.

Plants. Vine maple (Acer circinatum), with Astilbe japonica 'Bonn', leather-leaf fern (Rurnobra adiantiformis) , and rhododendron.

Pot. Glazed ceramic; 20 inches wide, 20 inches deep.

Alaska

NORTHERN LIGHTS

The state flower of Alaska (forget-me-not) and the ferns and conifers that grow in southeastern Alaska's lower elevations inspired this arrangement. A flat gray stone, reminiscent of those found in glacial rivers, adds a finishing touch behind the forget-me-nots. Sun to partial shade.

Plants. Dwarf hinoki false cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Verdoni'), with deep blue Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel', sky blue forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica), Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor), Scotch moss (Sagina subulata), and tassel fern (Polystichurn setosum).

Pot. Glazed stoneware; 13 inches wide, 121/2 inches deep.

Oregon

COLUMBIA GORGEOUS

Oregon grape, the state flower, determined the companion plants in this pot. The grape's young leaves are bronze, and scattered mature leaves are red. To echo this coloring, we chose plants with purplish bronze foliage, and New Guinea impatiens with red-orange blooms. For a softer, more natural look ("reminiscent of the plant life in Columbia Gorge," says Steve Lorton, Sunset's Northwest bureau chief), substitute rosy maidenhair fern (Adiantum hispidulum 'Rosy Maid') for the impatiens. Part shade.

Plants. Oregon grape (Mabonia aquifolium), with dwarf Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'), Heuchera 'Palace Purple', New Guinea impatiens, and Scotch moss (Sagina subulata).

Pot. Glazed ceramic; 16 inches wide, 15 inches deep.

Hawaii

SOUTH PACIFIC SUNRISE

Big-leafed foliage and flamboyant flowers fill three huge pots that have a scorched, volcanic look. Most of the plants thrive in sun and heat (tuberous begonias do better in filtered shade). Cannas and tuberous begonias go dormant for winter. Sun. Design: Bud Stuckey.

Plants. Left: Canna 'Tropicanna', with 'Flame Orange' tuberous begonia, flowering maple (Abutilon 'Vesuvius'), and trailing Lotus maculatus 'Gold Flash'. Center: Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'), with Acorus gramineus, bromeliads, and croton (Codiaeum variegatum). Right: Cordyline stricta, with Canna 'Tropicanna' and 'Pink Splendon' mirror plant (Coprosma repens).