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Size of plants for new bed...

Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
in Plants
Quick query... I am planting up a new bed, and am torn... Would you buy perennials (helenium, asters, geums etc) in 9cm pots (and plant in threes) or in 1l/2l pots (and plant singly)? I guess to some extent it will depend on eventual size of plant... 

Never know which to do... I'd like large chunks of colour, as it is quite a large bed. 

Many thanks!
Lincolnshire
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  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Good question  :)

    What is the size of the bed, and will it be purely perennials? 
    I would hedge my bets and buy a few larger ones for instant impact and "top up" with the smaller ones. They will catch up.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I can't wait for perennials in 9cm pots to make an impact and usually go for larger sizes.  Having a larger root system helps them get established more quickly, especially if the weather is unreliable. They can often be divided once purchased or at the start of the next growing season. This is fine for small borders like mine, but for larger areas, cost is a consideration.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    Herbaceous perennials in 2l pots @ approx. 9 per m2 is industry standard. Nuanced depending on species of course. 

    Nothing stopping you buying 9cms now and potting up into 2 or 3lts yourself. There's still a good couple of months for the pots to fill. This is how we contract grow plants for jobs. 
  • Stephanie newish gardenerStephanie newish gardener Posts: 516
    McRazz said:
    Herbaceous perennials in 2l pots @ approx. 9 per m2 is industry standard. Nuanced depending on species of course. 

    Nothing stopping you buying 9cms now and potting up into 2 or 3lts yourself. There's still a good couple of months for the pots to fill. This is how we contract grow plants for jobs. 
    So if I understand correctly, you're saying buy plants in smaller pots, then put them into bigger pots to encourage a bigger root system? Then presumably plant them out once they've grown on a bit? Do they put on more roots in a confined space than if you put them straight in the ground?
    Sounds like a top tip to me.
    No longer newish but can't think of a new name so will remain forever newish.  B) 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I would never plant out anything in a 9cm pot at this time of year unless it was something I'd been growing on myself, and it was already acclimatised, and filling the pot. At this time of year, something in a 6 inch pot is fine, as long as the root system is filling it well. 
    If you buy those small plants, they're better grown on , and potted on when they are filling the pots, and then planted out in spring/early summer next year. 

    It always depends on your location and conditions.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I didn't really make myself clear in my original post, l agree with @McRazz about growing on the 9cms plants before planting them out.

    I'm a great one for hedging my bets. If l bought 3 plants of Heleniums for example in 9cm pots, l tend to plant one straight out and grow the other 2 on into 1 litre pots (at least), before planting them out.
    Hence my OH 's constant refrain of "What on earth do you plan to do with all those plants ?" 😁
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    edited August 2023
    Stephanie newish gardener said:
    McRazz said:
    Herbaceous perennials in 2l pots @ approx. 9 per m2 is industry standard. Nuanced depending on species of course. 

    Nothing stopping you buying 9cms now and potting up into 2 or 3lts yourself. There's still a good couple of months for the pots to fill. This is how we contract grow plants for jobs. 
    So if I understand correctly, you're saying buy plants in smaller pots, then put them into bigger pots to encourage a bigger root system? Then presumably plant them out once they've grown on a bit? Do they put on more roots in a confined space than if you put them straight in the ground?
    Sounds like a top tip to me.
    Correct.

    And i'm stingy with plants so i'd probably grow them on now in 3lt containers and then divide again in the spring prior to planting out  :D
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Monty Don would buy big plants and divide them into several.

    Do you guys watch GW the TV?
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited August 2023
    Planting in 9cm pots is valid if you have a large space to fill, but it's not 'instant gratification gardening' - and you'll have to water them regularly especially if the weather is dry. 1 or 2l pots is probably the way to go. You will be able to divide some of them before you know it anyway, a lot if them will be bursting out of their pots and the subsequent divisions will be bigger than 9cm pots if you just cut them in half.

    I wouldn't be tempted to pot 9cm pots up and grow them on, what a ball-ache, I would just be cursing myself for not going for the 2l stock and saving all the time/space/compost - YMMV
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Trouble is, l like a challenge @Loxley :)
    Apparently it keeps me out of mischief...
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