For zone challenged gardeners (like me) I thought it might be helpful if we got together and posted a list of things that CAN be grown successfully in containers LONG TERM. Many people do not try cool plants because they think they cannot have them outdoors and a container is not feasible.
It CAN be done. Sometimes, though, the containers can get quite sizable. SO you have to make sure you have a place to overwinter, and enough people to help you drag stuff to that place.
These are plants that I personally have grown successfully in a container. The first number is the #gallon SMALLEST size that I have bloomed something in. The 2nd number is the largest I have had that plant in. Currently I grow most of these planted in the ground. I do have a Traveller's Palm in a container.
1. ALpinia purpurata...the beautiful Hawaiian ginger. Comes in many shades of pink, red, and white. 7 gallon-30 gallon
2. Heliconias. The 'lobster claws'. And I am not talking about the little orange or red dwarfs from Home Depot. I am talking about the big guns...roatrata, stricta, caribaea, bihai..... 7 gal-30 gal
3. Ravenella madagascariensis...Traveller's Palm...I have never bloomed this, but I have grown it to a moderately large fan spread in a 20 gal container
4. Etlingera gingers....specifically the smaller stature 'tulip torches'....10gal-30 gal
5. Costus stenophyllus, the snake ginger...15 gal -30 gal
6. Calathea crotalifera, the Rattleshaker....7 gal-20 gal
7. Bauhinia galpinii, the red bauhinia....7 gal
Can;t think of any others off the top of my head. Anyone else?
