Rounded Growth Container Plants
Clump or Mound Forming Fillers for Hanging Baskets and Box Planters
Plants with mounding growth habit add weight and substance to a container planting combination by filling it in and creating a mass of color.
Hostas (Hosta spp.) – Zones 3-8. A great shade perennial grown primarily for the broad foliage, these plants can grow anywhere from 12” to 36” tall and wide. Leaves are usually green, yellow, blue or white and any combination of variegation of those colors.
Cranesbill (Geranium spp.) – Zones 4-9. Hardy garden geraniums are perennial plants with clusters of cup-shaped flowers early summer through mid autumn. Dwarf and tall cultivars available giving you choices that range from 10”-3’ in size.
Coleus (Coleus spp.) – Prized for its variegated foliage, coleus is readily available from garden centers or mail order catalogs. Some varieties take full sun and others will tolerate full shade so check the labels for a cultivar that will match the other plants in your container.
Miniature Roses (Rosa spp.) – Full sun to light shade for these pretty perennials, miniature roses are perfect for containers because of their hardiness and diminuitive size. Miniature roses range from 6” to 2’ tall and come in every color or blend of colors you can get in their larger counterparts.
Oxalis (Oxalis spp.) – Clover or Shamrock type leaves and many small flowers make this an excellent choice for containers. Attractive foliage clumps last many months and are actually perennial through zone 6. Green, variegated or reddish colored foliage choices available.
Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea) – While the leaves are edible they are usually grown in baskets, pots or to line a path when cold weather sets in. Ornamental cabbage or kale has colored foliage, often with ruffled or lacy broad leaves, and usually looks better after a frost or two. Perfect for winter containers.
African Daisy (Osteospermum) – A popular annual for containers, these daisy-like flowers hold up well to heat and drought. “Symphony” series is said to bloom from spring to autumn frosts with little lagging in flowers.
Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpiodes) – A blue-flowering perennial with blooms spring and summer it is a perfect candidate for container plantings because it is considered mildly invasive when planted directly in the garden. Prefers wet to moist soil and full sun to part shade.
Primroses (Primula) – Zones 3-9. Prized for their early spring blooms that come in a multitude of colors, primroses are cool season plants that take full sun in the spring but enjoy some shade in warmer summer areas.
Annual Geranium (Pelargonium spp.) – Hardy only to zones 10 or 11. These annual geraniums are grown for their attractive flower clusters or scented leaves. The non-trailing cultivars typically have large leaves and a full, rounded growth habit.
Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) – Zones 5-9. Late summer flowers in large clusters make garden phlox an asset to any seasonal container design. Cultivars range from 1-3’ in size so check labels. Full sun to light shade and rich, moist soil is preferred.
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) – Zones 5-11. Large, course foliage is a great filler in a container and create the perfect backdrop for the large rounded flower clusters that appear late spring or early summer. Find out more about growing Hydrangea Shrubs.
Wormwood (Artemisia spp.) – Rounded clumps of silvery foliage make this an excellent companion plant in container designs. Poor to moderate soil, dry and well-draining, make this an excellent pot or planter box selection.
Frikart’s Aster (Aster frikartii) – Zones 5-8. Compact, bushy growth habit makes this perennial plant an excellent container companion. Blooms from mid-summer to first frost and the daisy-like flowers are available in a wide variety of color choices.
Chrysanthemum – Zones 5-9. Chrysanthemum are often grown as seasonal annuals and the compact, bushy plants can make a real impact in an autumn container. There are many “Mum” forms and colors available but almost all will bloom from mid-fall through winter.
New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) – Zones 10-12. Treated as annuals in most areas, these impatiens need some shade and do better with frequent watering. Many flower colors are available and the lance shaped leaves are also attractive for shady containers.
See all the plants for exciting containers.
