Deep
Vs. Shallow -
How
much room does your plant need?
Just when you
think you've got it down you're presented with another choice --
should your container be shallow, or deep? And what difference does
it make?
Well, if you
want to move things around for a changing display, you don't want
to deal with deep, heavy pots full of dirt when a shallow pot will
do. Many annuals are succulent plants and are extremely shallow
rooted -- so why waste all that space and dirt on them? Even some
shrubs are happy in a relatively shallow pot. In fact there is a
shallower-than-normal container called an azalea pot.
Other plants,
like poppies and many perennials develop massive root systems --
some so brawny that they have been known to break pots with their
expanding roots when they feel too confined. You want to give these
room to spread.
A deep container
will give you a chance to do some layering -- such as spring bulbs
that can be planted at different depths. Tulips, for instance, go
into the pot 6 inches deep and you can layer smaller bulbs and corms
such as small narcissus or crocus over them for a longer spring
show.
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