Often considered a privacy tree or privacy fence, evergreen plants for pots also make great plants for container gardening. Not only do container plants require much less maintenance, but they also bring wintertime color closer to the home and give a stunning focal point to your lawn. With roots that spread out, a fern will anchor itself into the dirt to keep nutrients from leaching out into the soil where your lawn needs it most. Ferns can be kept in potted forms, or you can dig up a stem and root it into a new container.

Some containers will have better growth if you prune them in the winter months. Always cut back dead branches so they will not over-feed the evergreen plants for pots. If you are planning container planting in the winter months, follow the same growing tips you would in the summer months: keep fertilizer and water on hand, stake pruning away from the roots, and check frequently for damaged or dead leaves. If you are container gardening and you live in colder climates, don’t forget to purchase a sturdy plastic pot that can withstand frost. Plastic containers can also be used in the summer months when you want to bring brightening flowers indoors.

There are several evergreen plants for containers that grows quite well in containers. Because of its hardiness, dwarf irises and other kinds of blue irises grow well in most types of containers. Blue medicamentosa, an evergreen vine, is a perennial that will grow to three to four feet tall and produces pinkish purple flowers during the spring. English creeper blooms in the spring and has blue flowers. It also grows very well under the evergreen bush.

Poinsettia grows well both as a plant in the soil and as a plant that are placed in a pot. Planting a continuous border of evergreen plants around your home insures that the foliage stays green throughout the entire year. If you plan to plant poinsettias in your landscape, you should dig up all of the old foliage before starting your planting.

If you prefer annuals and need to pull them indoors during the winter, try Stachys, begonias, and cyclamen. These perennial plants, even though they are potted, will survive the freezing temperatures. Be careful with winter planting of these plants, however. Covering the entire container with a blanket will help them survive the bitter cold months of winter. In the springtime, they will bloom once again.

Pots are not the only place where evergreen plants thrive. You can also place these plants in your outdoor garden or along a fence. However, if you plant them outside, you may want to place them in pots before you plant them in the ground. Evergreens love the sun, so place them where the sun will do them the most benefit. Planting them too close to a sharp edge could cause damage to young leaves or cause the roots to rot.

Most evergreens like the shade, so place containers in sunny locations. Sunlight is especially beneficial to container grown plants. If you are purchasing containerized plants, check that they are rated for shade. Most perennials will do fine in shaded areas, while some annuals may need to be brought inside for the winter. Just be sure that they get enough water and nutrients to stay healthy.

Some evergreen container gardening can be great fun. However, they do require a bit of care in order to thrive. With these container plants, you are able to have the evergreen benefits of color, without the maintenance. However, the key to successful container gardening with evergreen is to follow the guidelines above. This way you are sure to enjoy the evergreen benefits of the green foliage, year after year.