Grow a garden in a pocket planter

Sunset, June, 1994 by Emely Lincowski

Four new looks for the classic strawberry pot

FEW THINGS IN THE GARDEN turn heads quicker than a strawberry pot overflowing with lush, berry-laden plants. But when planted with a mix of foliage types, this graceful clay pot forms a striking accent next to an entrance or when combined with other containers on a deck or patio. Plants can be chosen to create a particular look or for a location in sun or shade.

On these pages, this classic container billows with texture and exuberant colors in four unexpected looks. Follow one of the recipes or create your own combination.

GETTING STARTED

The allure of the strawberry pot is matched only by its notoriety for being difficult to keep watered. The small, shallow pockets don't hold much moisture, and water poured into the top moves down the pot slowly and feeds plants unevenly.

When shopping for strawberry pots, look for ones with flared, cup-shaped pockets rather than barely bumped-out slits; they'll hold the plants, soil, and water better. Then use this tip from Sunset's test gardener, Bud Stuckey. Cut a length of 3/4-inch (inside diameter) PVC pipe so it's about 4 inches longer than the height of the strawberry pot. Drill 1/4-inch holes through the pipe about every 2 inches, and cap the bottom end. Stand the pipe in the center of the pot, making sure not to block the pot's drainage hole at the bottom. After filling the pot with soil and planting, water the soil on top and the planting pockets as usual, and then aim water into the pipe opening at the top. This distributes water to the plants more quickly and evenly.

CHOOSING THE PLANTS

Pick a theme. Working around a design concept (like the ones labeled on these pages) or a color scheme will help you choose plants that complement each other.

Keep in mind plant shapes, textures, and ultimate sizes. Look for plants with long bloom time (most annuals), interesting foliage, or strong form. Be sure to choose plants with similar needs for light and water.

Pocket plants. Plants used in the small side pockets of the pot should be mounding, weeping, or cascading in shape. In most cases, it works best to select two or three different types of plants and arrange them randomly one to a pocket; the textured grass pot on page 70 and the rose pot on this page were planted this way.

You'll have an easier time getting plants into the holes if you use cell-pack-size plants. If you combine plants or use ones bought in 4-inch pots, you'll have to squeeze or cut the rootballs or shake soil off the roots to make them fit, which can impair growth. Plants with big rootballs or small or flexible foliage can be popped into the pockets from inside the pot.

Top plants. Choose three or four plants for the top of the pot, combining mounding or cascading types with one or two upright ones for vertical accents. You can use plants bought in 1-gallon containers, provided some of the four are smaller.

PLANTING THE POT

Begin by placing the watering pipe in the pot. Hold it upright while surrounding it with a porous, water-retentive soil mix; one part chicken manure, one part redwood soil conditioner, and two parts packaged potting soil works well. Be sure to mix in a controlled-release or complete granular fertilizer (such as 16-16-16).

The easiest way to plant the pot is tier by tier. Fill the bottom with soil mix up to the first tier of planting holes from the bottom, put in your plants, and fill in with soil from behind (inside the pot). Continue planting, going up the pot. Once plants are in, make sure they're properly anchored with soil in the planting holes, and not planted too deeply. The crown of the rootball should be flush with the soil line.

Ingredients for a soft grass pot

Flowing shapes and subtle colors create this textured grass arrangement. In the top of the pot, arching pink, tail-like seed heads of purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Cupreum') and soft golden spikes of needle grass (Stipa tenuissima) form a spray behind the mounding velvety gray green foliage of Helichrysum petiolatum. Pockets are planted with blue fescue (Festuca ovina glauca), Nierembergia 'Purple Robe' together with snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum), and white sweet alyssum.