Small chores in anticipation of Spring

I have (rather, I had) two urns planted with Asparagus fern. As most of you know, this fern is best controlled in a pot, else it'll take over the world. Even then, my planters were so crowded that water was just running off the planters, the ferns were dying a slow death. I've grown tired of the ferns and decided it was time for a spruce up.

So, I removed the ferns. My, what a job that was! I had to use a hand saw along the edge of the urns and slice like a piece of pie. Once a small amount was removed, I was able to take out the rest of the planting inone piece. Each planting weighed about 20 lbs, rather heavy. After I wash with a clorox/water solution, I will remove loose paint and repaint. KatG has given me wonderful planting suggestions, so I hope to post some beauties later in the season.

If anybody wondered what "potbound" is, here is a sample. Mostly roots, practically no soil.

here is the "before" pic of one of the urns. I'd say urn capacity is 5-7 gal.

Hi Vossgirl, I had to laugh because I had a large A. sprengerii in the ground (it was here when we bought the house) and whe I went to remove it I practially needed a backhoe. Those things can really put out the roots and under any circumstances - wet, dry, good soil, bad, whatever. I actually hacked at it with an ax and this was after I hit it with RU several times. I have had potted ones break plastic pots with those agressive roots.

For those who live near a Southeastern Salvage, they have large terra cotta pots for $49 right now. The ones with glaze are $69. My son who lives in Chattanooga just picked one up for me and says they are about 30' high.

Forgot to add the picture he sent to me.

A, that is beautiful.

Thanks, he called me up and asked if I thought $49 was a good price for a pot that was more than 30" tall and 20" wide. I said YESSSSSSS

Ok Vossner, what did you do with the fern. My dh hates them so I have to sneak them into the house. I had one planted into a head and it broke it. I love them though. Tina

Can't they be planted in a regular black plastic nursery pot and then put in a fancier "for show" pot? That would end the problem of getting them out of the nice pots, wouldn't it?

No pirl, they will stlll break those pots to if your not careful.

Thanks. I've never grown that one but often use a nursery pot inside of a fancy one.

They would probably be very well behaved for you Pirl. I know from experience that all plants are well behaved where you live. Not so in the hotter areas; they are perfect thugs; and they still sell them in the big box stores.

After having to lug some very heavy ceramic pots into the garage this unusually cold winter; I am going to use your idea of nursery pots inside the fancy ones from now on. The air pocket between the pots would be good insulation also.

Nery, what are you going to put in your pots?

good morning ladies. several comments

I could do the pot inside a pot trick, but the truth is I'm tired of the ferns, period.

I wouldn't even put the discarded fern in the burn pile, I stuck each 15 lb bundle in a plastic trash bag and they'll be gone friday

I've been talking to KatG about what to use and she was provided wonderful suggestions. I have placed an order w/ Brian's Botanicals for 2 ee Diamond Head. r The EEs will be my leaders. As far as thrillers and spillers, I'll just wait to see what's out there in spring. here is ee DH
http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/07245.html

I don't think the EE will get out of hand b/c pot will control size, at least I hope so.

Hmmmm, those EE's are pretty and they just might stay in bounds. Last spring I saw a lovely picture of a mixed container using zebra grass for height; it was in FIne Gardening. I copied the idea and it looked lovely for about 3 weeks then the grass took off and the other plants were swallowed and by the end of summer the grass was 5' tall. It was sort of striking as a pot of grass but that was not the look I wanted.

I think those combos present that problem more often than not--one plant overtaking the rest. I know that at the nursery that is down the street from me they constantly yank/thin out the abusers in order to have the perfect "combo" look. I will probably do the same.

I'm not fooled by the beautiful PDN picture. My EEs are not gonna look as luscious the first year, so I will have time to get a feel for how they perform in a pot and whether they will be divas or play nice with companion plants.

Those EE's are going to be beautiful. I want some too. Good luck and take lots of pics to post for us. Tina