Planter suggestions

 Hi all

I just inherited a rectangular planter, about 3 feet by 16 inches by 16
inches deep. I am looking for suggestions on what to stick in there. I live
in Rockaway, NYC, close to the ocean, so salt might be an issue. We do get
hard freezes here. I would prefer some kind of hardy perennial. Would some
lilacs do OK in that size planter? I don't know if they could take the
winters. Thanks

Chris

 On Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:42:15 -0500, Chris Thompson


Lilac likes winter but doesn't like planters.  Many succulents do
well.

 On 8/1/11 12:42 PM, Chris Thompson wrote:

Lilacs enjoy a cold winter.  My daughter lives in Saskatoon, Canada,
where winter temperatures below -30F are common and lilacs are so common
that they are a cliche.

Salt should not be an issue if the potting mix in the container drains
well.  You might want to add a little gypsum once a year to help remove
salt from the soil, but salt in the air should not be a major problem.

However, lilacs are woody shrubs that can grow quite large.  I don't
think your container is deep enough.

The best source of a recommendation might be a nearby comprehensive
nursery (not a hardware store or lumber yard).

--
David E. Ross
Climate:  California Mediterranean, see
<http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html>
Gardening diary at <http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary>

 

Do you think one of the "dwarf" varieties might do well, if I kept it well-
pruned?

Thanks

Chris

 

Lilacs bloom in early spring and are relatively unattractive the rest of
the year.

Dwarf lilacs are 4 to 8 feet tall.

I have 2 outside a window that I appreciate in spring but once I start
spending time outside, they're done.

I'd be inclined to fill a planter with annuals.


--
Dan Espen