We often collect small (10 inches or less) flower pots. We get them as gifts, when we buy a small plant or flower somewhere or when we see something that just catches our eye as a wonderful art piece. Additionally, small pots are often cute and easy to carry home.

When I visit people's homes, I often find their collection of small pots scattered around the patio such as in this picture.

• Marylee, The Contained Gardener
• Sorry but ... Stupid Little Pots and a Mess!

With a little cleanup and addition of some nice shade loving plants, the area is quickly transformed into a place that is a pleasure to enjoy.

• Marylee, The Contained Gardener
• What A Difference!

For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email Marylee

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• Photo and plant care by Martha
• winter 2011-2012

Flowers in this photo include Calendula, Allysum, Petunias, Pansies and Dusty Miller. The grass in the back pot is Purple Fountain Grass that our client did not want us to cut back. It is usually cut back in January.

With the somewhat mild winter in the Old Pueblo, our winter flowers have done very nicely. We are not going to be trying to change out the flowers for the summer until late April and throughout May. You want to make sure that you are providing your winter flowers with enough water as the temperatures heat up this month. Give any leggy plants a good haircut and be sure to keep up with a bi-weekly water soluble fertilizing.

• Photo and Plant Care by Martha
• A Contemporary Design by The Contained Gardener

Plants in this pot include Cordyline, Amazon Dianthus, Allysum, Ornamental Kale, Pansies.

For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email Marylee.

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There is a freeze warning for Tucson and Southern Arizona for Monday night into Tuesday morning. Temperatures are predicted for 32 degrees. Your home could be 4-10 degrees cooler, especially if you live near a wash.

Plant Protection List:
~ Most plants should be plenty wet from yesterday's rains. Potted plants under a ramada or roof need to be checked to make sure the soil is damp.
~ Cover newly planted tender annuals and vegetables with frost cloth.
~ Weight them down with rocks or clothes pins.
~ Do not use towels or plastic covers.

• Potted Plant with Frost Cover

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You have seen these around town in the medians or in your home's landscape. One of my new favorite plants is the Gopher plant or Euphorbia rigida. You know we gardeners are always changing our favorite plants. I love the flowers it puts out, plus the easy care and low water nature of this plant.

• University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension
• Gopher Plant

This plant works well in containers and since it is low water, it can be hand watered weekly during the hot season and every two weeks in the winter.

Check it out and see if you have a place to put one in a pot. It will work with many color pots - so have some fun in combining colors!

For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email Marylee.

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• Design by The Contained Gardener, Photo and Gardencare by Martha
• Winter Pot 2012

Plants included in this potted garden are Dusty Miller, Bi-color pansies, Ornamental Kale and Alyssum.

Keep plants well watered, but not over watered. Stick your finger into the soil to see if it is damp. If so, hold off on watering for another day. With the nights remaining cool, the soil will not dry out just because the temperature hits 80 during the day.

Be sure to apply your water soluble fertilizer to flowers every two weeks and keep up your deadheading!

If you are interested in how to create a dedicated pot irrigation line, register for my class on March 15 from 2:30 - 4pm. The cost is $25 and you leave with an irrigation emergency repair kit. You can call to register 733-3359 and use a credit card for payment.

For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email Marylee

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• Photo by Martha of The Contained Gardener
• Potted Petunias and Kale at Pastiche

A few thoughts concerning your potted gardens as we roll into March:

1. You want your winter flowers to make it until May. Be sure to apply a water soluble fertilizer every two weeks so that you are keeping them well fed.

2. Be prepared for a March freeze. Average date of the last frost is March 15. Therefore:
~ Do not prune back plants until the danger of frost is over.
~ Do not plant frost tender annuals even though they may be in the nurseries. This includes Marigolds!
They will look sad if the nighttime temperatures fall below 40 and if we have a freeze, they will be history!

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For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email Marylee

In order to encourage our annuals and blooming perennials to provide us with an abundant show through May, it is a good idea to do some selective pruning in Mid-February and March. You are free to prune back alyssum and lobelia but be warned that if we get a freeze before they fill back out they might not make it. When you cut back you want to make sure you leave some green to promote growth. I prefer to weave my hand (sort of like a chunky hair weave) through the top 1/3 of the plant and cut back all the under growth. This leaves plenty of plant to initiate new growth and allow for protection.

• Petunias Will Benefit from Selective Pruning

Sign up for our monthly gardening e-news and garden alerts! For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email Marylee.

Tucson has finally had some warmer days which has confused our plants. Some of our shrubs and trees are starting to put out new growth. This does not mean it is time to prune.

Our last average frost is March 15th. If you prune now, you will expose tender unprotected stems to a possible freeze which will harm the plant.

We must practice patience now. I know things look bad but if you can hang in there another 4-6 weeks, you will be much happier with your plantings in the long run.

• Frost Damaged Blooming Lantana

For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email

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• Photo by Marylee
• Rose Standard in a Pot

For more information on potted gardens in the desert, visit The Contained Gardener. Have a question? Email Marylee for a quick response!