The Best All-Year-Round Plants for Troughs
If you're looking for a way to add some year-round beauty to your garden, planting a trough is an excellent option. You can plant it with a variety of different plants that will add color and texture throughout the year. Here are some of our favorite all-year-round plants for troughs:
1. Sedum 'Angelina'
Sedum 'Angelina' is a low-growing, evergreen sedum that has bright yellow-green foliage. It's a great choice for troughs because it's drought-tolerant and can handle a range of temperatures. It also looks great in rock gardens, so if you have one of those, be sure to consider adding this plant to it.
How to care for Sedum 'Angelina'
Sedum 'Angelina' doesn't require much maintenance, but you should water it regularly during the growing season. It prefers well-drained soil, so make sure your trough has good drainage. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to protect the plant in winter by covering the trough with a blanket or burlap.
2. Heuchera 'Marmalade'
Heuchera 'Marmalade' is a stunning perennial with bronze-gold leaves that turn deep red in the fall. It's a great choice for troughs because it's deer-resistant and can handle a range of temperatures. It also attracts hummingbirds, so if you're looking to attract wildlife to your garden, this is a great option.
How to care for Heuchera 'Marmalade'
Heuchera 'Marmalade' prefers well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. It can handle some shade, but it will do best in full sun. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to protect the plant in winter by covering the trough with a blanket or burlap.
3. Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful herb that has fragrant purple flowers and gray-green foliage. It's a great choice for troughs because it's drought-tolerant and can handle a range of temperatures. It also attracts bees and butterflies, so if you're looking to attract pollinators to your garden, this is a great option.
How to care for Lavender
Lavender prefers well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. It does best in full sun, so make sure your trough gets plenty of sunlight. You can also prune it back in the fall to encourage new growth in the spring.
4. Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a small hosta that has blue-green leaves and lavender flowers. It's a great choice for troughs because it's deer-resistant and can handle a range of temperatures. It also looks great as a border plant or in a rock garden.
How to care for Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' prefers well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. It can handle some shade, but it will do best in partial sun. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to protect the plant in winter by covering the trough with a blanket or burlap.
5. Ajuga 'Black Scallop'
Ajuga 'Black Scallop' is a low-growing perennial that has dark purple leaves and blue flowers. It's a great choice for troughs because it's drought-tolerant and can handle a range of temperatures. It also looks great as a groundcover or in a rock garden.
How to care for Ajuga 'Black Scallop'
Ajuga 'Black Scallop' prefers well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. It can handle some shade, but it will do best in partial sun. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to protect the plant in winter by covering the trough with a blanket or burlap.
Other Plants to Consider
In addition to the plants listed above, there are many other all-year-round plants that you can consider for your troughs. Some other options include:
- Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'
- Hellebore
- Pansies
- Ornamental grasses
- Sempervivum
Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'
Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is a stunning perennial that has variegated foliage and yellow-green flowers. It's a great choice for troughs because it's drought-tolerant and can handle a range of temperatures. It also looks great in containers or as a groundcover.
How to care for Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'
Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' prefers well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. It can handle some shade, but it will do best in full sun. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to protect the plant in winter by covering the trough with a blanket or burlap.
Hellebore
Hellebore is a beautiful perennial that has evergreen foliage and blooms from late winter to early spring. It's a great choice for troughs because it can handle cold temperatures and looks great as a border plant or in a rock garden.
How to care for Hellebore
Hellebore prefers well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. It can handle some shade, but it will do best in partial sun. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to protect the plant in winter by covering the trough with a blanket or burlap.
Pansies
Pansies are a colorful annual that bloom throughout the year. They're a great choice for troughs because they can handle cold temperatures and come in a variety of colors.
How to care for Pansies
Pansies prefer well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. They can handle some shade, but they will do best in full sun. You'll also want to deadhead them regularly to encourage new growth.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are a great choice for troughs because they add texture and movement to your garden. Some good options include blue fescue, feather reed grass, and fountain grass.
How to care for Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses prefer well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season. They can handle some shade, but they will do best in full sun. You'll also want to prune them back in the fall to encourage new growth in the spring.
Sempervivum
Sempervivum, also known as hens and chicks, is a succulent that has rosettes of leaves. It's a great choice for troughs because it's drought-tolerant and can handle a range of temperatures.
How to care for Sempervivum
Sempervivum prefers well-drained soil and should be watered sparingly during the growing season. It can handle some shade, but it will do best in full sun. You'll also want to remove any dead leaves to encourage new growth.
In planting a trough with all-year-round plants is a great way to add color and texture to your garden. There are many different plants to choose from, so be sure to consider your climate and the amount of sunlight your trough will get. With proper care and maintenance, your trough can provide year-round beauty for years to come.
FAQs
1. What is a trough?
A trough is a container that's used for planting flowers and other plants. They're often made out of wood, metal, or stone and can be used indoors or outdoors.
2. Can I plant vegetables in a trough?
Yes, you can plant vegetables in a trough. Some good options include lettuce, spinach, and herbs like basil and parsley.
3. How often should I water my trough?
You should water your trough regularly during the growing season, which is typically from spring to fall. The exact frequency will depend on the plants you're growing and the amount of sunlight your trough gets.
4. Should I fertilize my trough?
Yes, you should fertilize your trough regularly during the growing season. You can use a slow-release fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer, depending on your preference.
5. Can I leave my trough outside in the winter?
It depends on the plants you're growing and your climate. Some plants can handle cold temperatures, while others will need to be protected from the elements. Be sure to research the plants you're growing and make sure they're appropriate for your climate.
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