10 Greatest Container Gardening Flowers
Estimated studying time: 11 minutes
Each backyard wants flowers, and that features container gardens. Flowers increase your harvest, appeal to pollinators, they usually’re simply plain stunning. However past their attractiveness, flowers can serve a much bigger goal.
Some flowers assist repel pests, whereas others can enhance soil well being and even improve the flavour of close by greens. Plus, many flowers are edible or medicinal, that means they’re not only for ornament—they will also be helpful within the kitchen or house apothecary.
With the best flowers, you possibly can create a vibrant, multi-functional backyard in even the smallest of areas. However with so many choices, which flowers do you have to develop? One of the best selections are people who do extra than simply look fairly.
The flowers on this listing are both edible, medicinal, pollinator-friendly, or a mix of all three—making them good for any container backyard.
Wish to save this put up for later? Click on Right here to Pin It On Pinterest!
1. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm, also called Monarda, is a vibrant flower that is available in shades of purple, pink, and purple. It’s a magnet for bees and butterflies, and it could possibly even appeal to hummingbirds.
The leaves and flowers of bee balm have a barely minty, citrusy taste that goes properly in salads, fruit dishes, or natural teas. Historically, bee balm has been used to assist respiratory well being, ease digestion, and even soothe sore throats.
Bee balm can also be recognized for its antimicrobial properties, which may also help battle infections. A recent or dried tea created from the leaves is a good treatment for colds and congestion. Bee balm wants wealthy soil and does finest in full solar, however it could possibly tolerate partial shade.
One factor to be careful for is powdery mildew, a typical difficulty with bee balm in humid areas. To stop this, you should definitely area the crops correctly and prune them to enhance air circulation. With the best care, bee balm will reward you with a season stuffed with gorgeous blooms.
2. Borage
Borage is a hanging plant with fuzzy stems and star-shaped blue flowers that look nice in any container backyard. The blooms have a tasty cucumber-like taste, making them an amazing for salads, drinks, and a few desserts. This hardy plant additionally attracts bees and different pollinators.
Medicinally, borage is understood for its anti-inflammatory properties and is commonly used to assist adrenal well being, soothe coughs, and promote wholesome pores and skin. Borage seed oil is wealthy in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which helps scale back irritation. Whereas the flowers and leaves could be made into a light tea, they need to be consumed sparsely as an excessive amount of could cause liver injury in the long term.
Borage thrives in full solar and reseeds simply, usually returning 12 months after 12 months. To stop it from spreading an excessive amount of, trim the flowers earlier than they go to seed. With its edible, medicinal, and pollinator-friendly advantages, borage is a must have for any small-space backyard.
3. Calendula
Calendula is a shocking yellow/orange flower that thrives in full solar and attracts all types of pollinators. It’s a low-maintenance plant that blooms constantly with common deadheading, and the flowers aren’t simply fairly—they’re additionally full of advantages.
Medicinally, calendula has each antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties. It’s usually utilized in salves, oils, and teas to assist heal cuts, rashes, and irritated pores and skin. Calendula-infused oil is a well-liked ingredient in do-it-yourself skincare merchandise because of its soothing results.
Plus, the petals add a tangy taste to soups, salads, and natural teas. For these causes, calendula is nice for any container backyard.
4. Chamomile
Chamomile is legendary for its calming properties, making it a well-liked natural treatment for nervousness and insomnia. I personally have a cup of chamomile tea any time I’ve bother sleeping, and it actually works. Chamomile can also be nice for relieving nausea, decreasing bloating, and soothing an upset abdomen.
This daisy-like flower isn’t simply good for folks—it additionally attracts pollinators and useful bugs. Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies like it, and it could possibly even enhance the well being of close by crops by repelling pests. Whereas it thrives in full solar, it could possibly additionally do properly in partial shade.
To maintain chamomile blooming, harvest the flowers usually to encourage extra blossoms. Whether or not you develop it for its natural advantages, its skill to assist pollinators, or simply for its magnificence, chamomile is nice for any backyard.
5. Echinacea (Coneflower)
For many individuals, echinacea is a go-to herb on the first signal of sickness. It’s extensively recognized for its skill to assist the immune system, serving to the physique battle off colds, flu, and different infections. It is normally made into teas, tinctures, and capsules to scale back the severity and period of illness. Echinacea additionally has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial advantages.
Its daring, purple daisy-like flowers stand tall and appeal to bees, butterflies, and different pollinators. It is a hardy perennial that thrives in full solar and well-drained soil, making it straightforward to take care of as soon as it is established.
To maintain echinacea coming again 12 months after 12 months, you should definitely minimize it again within the fall. This encourages regrowth and ensures loads of blooms the next season.
6. Johnny-Leap-Ups (Viola Tricolor)
Johnny jump-ups are small, colourful flowers that look superb in any container backyard. Their purple, yellow, and white petals aren’t simply fairly—they’re additionally edible. They’re nice in salads, teas, and desserts, including a light, barely candy taste. Some folks even use them in baked items or fancy cake decorations.
Johnny jump-ups have a historical past of medicinal advantages. Historically, they’ve been used to appease respiratory points like coughs and bronchitis, in addition to to assist with pores and skin circumstances comparable to eczema and pimples. The flowers and leaves comprise anti-inflammatory compounds, making them a mild natural treatment for a number of illnesses.
They like partial solar and moist, well-draining soil, making them an amazing alternative for shaded balconies or patio gardens. They thrive in cooler climate and infrequently reseed themselves, offering steady blooms with little effort.
7. Lavender
Lavender is among the finest pure treatments for nervousness, stress, and insomnia. Its soothing perfume has been used for hundreds of years to advertise rest, making it a staple in teas and important oils. A cup of lavender tea earlier than mattress can ease stress and enhance sleep, whereas lavender-infused oil is usually used for massages, bathtub soaks, and even do-it-yourself skincare merchandise.
Lavender can also be nice for cooking. Its barely candy taste goes properly with baked items, natural teas, and even roasted meats and salads. The flowers can be utilized recent or dried. And naturally, lavender is a magnet for bees.
To thrive, lavender wants full solar, well-draining soil, and occasional pruning to encourage bushier progress and stop it from turning into too woody. It prefers drier circumstances, so watch out to not overwater it.
8. Marigolds
Marigolds are one among my favourite flowers for pure pest management. I all the time plant them close to potatoes and different crops to assist deter aphids, potato bugs, and even nematodes within the soil. Their robust scent confuses pests, making them an amazing companion plant for greens. Plus, they appeal to useful bugs like ladybugs and hoverflies, which assist maintain dangerous bugs in examine.
Marigolds even have medicinal advantages. They comprise anti-inflammatory compounds and are generally utilized in skincare to appease irritation and promote therapeutic. The intense petals are edible and can be utilized as a pure meals coloring and even as a saffron substitute in rice and soups.
Marigolds thrive in full solar and well-drained soil, and whereas they’re pretty drought-tolerant, they do finest with common watering. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage extra blooms all through the season.
9. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums have vivid orange, yellow, and purple flowers that stand out towards their spherical, inexperienced leaves. Not solely are they stunning, they’re additionally edible. The flowers, leaves, and seeds have a peppery taste just like arugula, making them nice for salads, pestos, sandwiches, and even infused vinegars. The seeds will also be pickled and used as an alternative choice to capers.
Nasturtiums are a pure immune booster and have each antibacterial and antibiotic properties, making them an amazing herb to have throughout chilly and flu season. Plus, they’re glorious companion crops, repelling pests like aphids, squash bugs, and whiteflies whereas attracting pollinators.
They thrive in full solar, however in contrast to the opposite flowers on this listing, they want barely poorer soil as wealthy soil can result in extra leaves than flowers. Additionally they don’t want a lot water—an excessive amount of can result in root rot. Should you’re rising them in containers, you should definitely select bush varieties relatively than trailing ones except you may have area for them to spill over the perimeters.
10. Sunflowers (Dwarf Varieties)
As I’m positive , sunflower seeds are edible and scrumptious—particularly when roasted and salted (this is the way to do it). However past being a tasty snack, they’re additionally full of wholesome fat, protein, and antioxidants. Even the petals are edible and can be utilized in teas or as a colourful garnish for salads.
In fact, sunflowers appeal to bees, which love their nectar-rich flowers, however in addition they appeal to birds. As soon as the flowers go to seed, they supply meals supply for finches, cardinals, and different seed-loving birds. Rising sunflowers in your container backyard may also help assist native wildlife whereas including a daring, cheerful contact to your area.
To develop sunflowers efficiently in containers, select a deep pot to accommodate their lengthy taproots. Dwarf varieties are finest for small areas, however even compact sunflowers can develop fairly tall. They thrive in full solar and want loads of water, particularly throughout sizzling climate.
Conclusion
There are many causes so as to add flowers to your container backyard. The precise flowers can deter pests, appeal to pollinators, offer you recent substances for cooking, and even present medicinal advantages.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with totally different varieties. A mixture of edible, medicinal, and pollinator-friendly flowers offers you the very best of all worlds. Attempt pairing vibrant nasturtiums with calming chamomile, or develop lavender alongside bee balm for a aromatic and useful mixture.
For the most efficient container backyard, contemplate planting flowers alongside herbs and greens. Marigolds may also help defend tomatoes from pests, whereas borage improves the expansion of strawberries. With the correct mix, you’ll have a thriving, stunning backyard that’s as useful as it’s stunning.
Like this put up? Do not Overlook to Pin It On Pinterest!
You Might Additionally Like:
