ACER PALMATUM DISSECTUM ORNATUM & HOSTAS IN CONTAINERS
Two years ago I planted a Japanese maple, Acer Palmatum dissectum Ornatum', in a terracotta pot and kept it in the shelter of my house wall, facing east. It has more than survived, it has thrived, despite the dreaded vine weevil larvae destroying a neighbouring Japanese maple, Orange Dream. I am amazed at how well this delicate-looking shrub has grown in such a relatively short period of time.
Some plants that are in containers are more vulnerable in winter when the low temperature can freeze their roots. I think that having a cluster of containers around the maple has protected it. My acer is surrounded by terracotta-container grown hostas all winter. I believe that terracotta pots are more protective temperature-wise than plastic. In seriously low temperatures, I throw bubble-wrap and garden-fleece over them.
I read an article by the BBC gardener, Monty Don, on growing hostas. He said that hostas grown in containers were more prone to slugs than those grown in garden beds because those grown in containers are more stressed than those grown in the garden. That might be so in his case but in my experience hostas are prone to slugs wherever the slimy little suckers can get at them. I grow mine in terracotta pots, on metal trolleys, with the base of the plants covered in sharp grit. They've grown in the same tubs for a few years and they are very healthy. I feed them with Miracle Gro and also Phostrogen.
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| Acer Palmatum dissectum Ornatum' and hostas (left to right) Sagai, Patriot, and Brimcup - 25 May 2016 |
I read an article by the BBC gardener, Monty Don, on growing hostas. He said that hostas grown in containers were more prone to slugs than those grown in garden beds because those grown in containers are more stressed than those grown in the garden. That might be so in his case but in my experience hostas are prone to slugs wherever the slimy little suckers can get at them. I grow mine in terracotta pots, on metal trolleys, with the base of the plants covered in sharp grit. They've grown in the same tubs for a few years and they are very healthy. I feed them with Miracle Gro and also Phostrogen.