FARGO — Do you know what the flower said after telling a joke? “I was just pollen your leg.” We are living in gardening good times. Drive around any neighborhood and up and down city streets and you can’t miss the beautiful flowers blooming in pots, planters, hanging baskets and containers of all sizes.
There are more flower choices to grace containers than any time in history. Plant breeders responded to the popularity of potted annuals by developing ever-increasing numbers of flower cultivars especially suited for containers, blooming profusely on well-branched plants. I appreciate the new flower varieties because I remember when they didn’t exist.
During the years my wife, Mary, and I operated our garden center, choices were slim in comparison. Now when we visit garden centers for our container plants, we’re kids in a candy store. Although the choices are outstanding, it’s still up to us to give them the care they need to thrive when we get the plants home and potted.
Following are tips to keep container flowers blooming all summer long. ADVERTISEMENT.