Container Garden
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) growing in a container.
Gardening with native plants is a possibility for everyone, even if you live in an apartment with little outdoor space. Container or balcony gardens are an excellent solution for those with limited gardening space. You can create a relaxing green retreat where pollinators like butterflies and bees might even stop by for a visit.
The ideal plants for container gardening will be small, drought tolerant, and have shallow root systems. Containers tend to dry out more quickly than traditional in-ground gardens, so plants that can withstand some dryness are ideal. Native plants are relatively low maintenance which makes them great additions to your balcony garden, they will adapt and thrive.
When selecting the containers for your garden, ensure they have proper drainage at the bottom. Plants that are left to sit in water for a long period will get root rot. Additionally, pick containers that are spacious enough for your plants’ growth, so you won’t need to repot them after just one season.
Another key factor is soil. Use suitable soil tailored to the needs of the plants you’re growing. Although native plants often thrive in poor soils, they still require nutrients to survive. Avoid soilless seed starter mixes, as these lack essential nutrients. Instead, opt for a compost-enriched mix combined with regular garden soil. For plants needing well-draining soil, enhance the mixture with coarse sand or other amendments to improve drainage.
Other Factors to Keep in Mind:
Sunlight: Keep in mind how much sunlight you have when selecting your plants. Avoid plants that cannot survive in the conditions you have. Containers will dry out faster in full sun, keep this in mind for your watering schedule.
Wind Exposure: This is especially important for those living in apartments. Balcony gardens will be subjected to stronger wind. If you are worried about the wind exposure you can build a buffer on your balcony. Add some material along the railing to help block some of the strong wind.
Overcrowded Containers: Plants will compete for nutrients, water, and light. If you have too many plants growing in a container their growth will be stunted.
Native Plants For Containers
Here is a list of native Southern Ontario plants that do well in containers:
Flowers
American Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Blue Stem Goldenrod (Solidago caesia)
Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) (Needs a large container)
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) (More prone to aphids)
Calamint (Clinopodium arkansanum)
Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) (More prone to aphids)
Cylindrical Blazing Star (Liatris cylindracea) (May become leggy)
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)
Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta)
Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Narrow Leaved Vervain (Verbena simplex)
Narrowleaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) (May become leggy)
Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)
Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) (May become leggy)
Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctata) (Requires extra protection in the winter)
Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Yellow Giant Hyssop (Agastache nepetoides)
Yellow Pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima)
Zig Zag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
Grasses, Shrubs, and Ferns
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Plantain Leaf Sedge (Carex plantaginea)
Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis) (Requires shade and needs adequate moisture)
Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) growing in a container inside of veggie garden.