A Host of Materials and Textures
Great plants deserve fine containers and there are many beautiful options. Each material has good points and bad, so discover how to find the best partner for your precious blooms.
Choosing a pot no longer means deciding whether or not you can afford terracotta rather than plastic. Containers are now available in a bewildering array of materials -- from galvanized metal containers to bamboo, from glass fiber to glazed ceramic -- and there are many ways to achieve a stone effect or bronze finish mat don't cost a fortune.
Because there is so much choice, you need to think about the advantages and disadvantages of the material when you are picking a container. Plastic is light, inexpensive and can be treated to all manner of disguises. Wood, terracotta and stone are good root insulators -- against heat or cold -- and therefore ideal for plantings in full sun or exposed northerly settings.
Glass fiber plots are lightweight, strong and long-lasting. They are also frost-proof, insulate plants well and come in a good range of colors. The only disadvantage is that glass fiber may become brittle and chip if handled roughly.
Terracotta and plastic are the most common materials for pots. Terracotta containers mellows with age, but is easily chipped or broken. It is porous and drains well, so is ideal for drought-tolerant plants such as Mediterranean herbs or geraniums; other plants will need frequent watering. When moistened, terracotta keeps plant roots cool in hot weather. Check when you buy that the pot is frost-resistant. If not, you will have to wrap it up or empty out the plant and store the pot indoors for winter.
Plastic pots are light and portable and are not damaged by frost. Plastic tends to be less attractive than terracotta but can be given a lift with a creative coat of paint. As plastic is not porous, compost does not dry out as quickly as it does in clay pots. This means less watering, but also increases the danger of waterlogging.
Wood and wicker containers have a lightweight appearance, but many wooden tubs are substantial enough to hold large shrubs. Wood is resistant to frost and insulates plants from extreme heat and cold. Prevent rot by treating the container with a preservative that does not harm plants, or lining it with plastic. Stand wooden tubs on bricks to aid drainage: if water collects in them, the wood will rot.
Galvanized metal containers look great in modern settings, such as on decking or gravel beds. But metal is a poor insulator so compost and roots may be baked in hot weather or frozen in winter. Metal pots are often made without drainage holes, in which case you will have to drill them; otherwise simply use them as cachepots.
Ceramic or glazed pots are available in a range of colors, some with patterns on the exterior. The glazed surface is easy to wipe clean, keeping disease at bay. Ceramic pots need to be moved and filled carefully because, like unglazed terracotta, they are easily chipped or cracked. Unlike raw terracotta, glazed pots are not porous so plants will need careful watering to avoid waterlogging. Before buying, check whether the pot is frost-proof, and make sure that it has drainage holes in the base.
Concrete and reconstituted stone pots come In a wide range of shapes. Some have details such as handles and swags; others come In simple geometric shapes suited to modern settings. Both materials are strong, frost-resistant and retain heat. Reconstituted stone looks more natural than concrete, and is both less expensive and lighter than the real thing. However, it doesn't weather quickly, so encourage plants to spill over the rim to soften its look.