While taking inventory of my annual seed, I found myself mentally analyzing the performance of these seasonal plants. Indeed they are lovely fillers for container and garden, that is when they work well. And so begs the question - "How did your containers do this summer?". While all of this is still fresh in our minds, a review is in order which will only help when it comes time to begin anew in spring. With that I would encourage you to consider four questions to ask yourself.

(1) Did the plants I put together work well? If not, what would I change?
(2) Was I able to dead head and control the height enough, with the plants I chose?
(3) When did my containers look the worst? ahem.... answers may not include: When everything died. (possibly a reference to #4) When everything froze. (possibly a reference to # 1)
(4) Was I able to keep up with the watering?

In reviewing your answers I offer some helpful suggestions that might help with your container gardens for next year. Listed below are some things to consider, depending upon how much any one question spurred bad memories.

(1) Did the plants I put together work well? If not, what would I change?

It is very important to understand the various seasons in which different annuals thrive. We have cool season annuals and warm season, neither group will provide a full- spring to fall - show. One must remove pansies, ranunculus, calendulas, and various other cool season annuals to make room for heliotrope, lantana, evolvulous, and other warm season annuals. Cool season plants are used when threats of frost are still eminent. Our warm season changeover usually occurs during the month of May when the likelihood of a frost has passed. For fall the change over comes in September when night temperatures start to hit 50 degrees. On occasion I have been able to include both warm and cool season plants in 1 large container and by cutting back and managing the assorted annuals, I have been able to keep the container looking good. Albeit this involves at least a whiskey sized barrel and one might notice a reduction in overall flowers. When plants do prosper it is always good to use them again the following year or understand the need for more or less of one particular variety. I encourage gardeners to keep their plant tags in an envelope or garden journal to refer to, for just this reason.

(2) Was I able to dead head and control the height enough, with the plants I chose?

One can putz with a single container for an extraordinarily long time. Some consider this quality time and are not bothered by the time spent preening. Others have limits and on a positive note, there are so many options for folks with little time. My advice would be more perennial plants such as hens and chicks, various sedums, and ornamental grasses. The shade gardener will find that hostas, ivy, and euphorbia will do well under less than ideal conditions. Granted these choices leave you with less color, but you may challenge yourself by including a few annuals. Simply analyze the results at the end of summer. If even that doesn't work, consider a water container. Use a pot that will hold lots of water and fill it with floating and potted water plants. The selections of plants are wonderful and your pot will only need water added once or twice a week. There will still be the removal of old foliage, but it's quick work that helps a lot!

(3) When did my containers look the worst?

There is nothing worse that finding a strategically placed container looking bad. Admittedly your pots don't understand your need to go on vacation, nor do they humor you after a particularly hot spell, when they're filled with cool season plants. In this case, it may be bad placement. All too often we challenge ourselves more than we should with pots stuck where it's hard to get water to them. I would either devise a watering system that comes on automatically or give up on plants in that pot. Likewise you may simply have the wrong plants in the wrong exposure. There are the heat loving annuals that need to face south or southwest. Then there are the shade loving annuals that must face north or east. Rework your mix until you come up with the best plants to suit your watering and your exposure. If all of that fails, you'd be surprised with what you could put in a pot, other than live plants. Consider a collection of unusual stones, a piece of statuary, or round glass balls.

(4) Was I able to keep up with the watering?

Watering adequately is where most of us fail. Yes, it's hard! Big containers make it easier. There is also the option of filling the bottom of the container with compost and the top with a soiless mix. As plants send down roots, they connect with the heavier compost and require slightly less water, that is until they become root bound. Containerized plants usually need watered every day.. yes, every single day. The only type of container that might be left to once or twice a week would be a container filled with water. I heartily encourage everyone to try a water container for summer. Beyond the ease of maintenance, there are the wonderful plant selections. Many water plants are tropicals and will suffer with cool temperatures of fall. But clearly the rewards of low maintenance from not having to water so much or weed them, is tremendous.

To hamper mosquito larvae from taking up residence, put in a couple of small gold fish or mosquito dunks. In addition I usually have frogs move in, and folks - few things could be better!