What can you plant in your hypertufa container? One thing I have done with my smaller containers is to plant individual species, especially ones that are difficult to sustain in a garden situation. Draba ramosissima (Rock Twist) is a beautiful plant that grows on shale barrens. It is truly one of our alpine species from the Allegheny Mountains, and is not well-known among native plant enthusiasts. From a four-inch bun of tight foliage, it produces sprays of tiny white flowers that resemble Gypsy’s Breath. Quite often, the seeds will fall into the soil mixture and produce seedlings the next year.
Native sedums are also excellent choices. Sedum ternatum, with its dark green foliage and bright white flowers, will fill a container and droop nicely over its sides in a shaded spot. Sedum glaucophyllum, which has a lighter green foliage and cream-colored flowers, will perform similarly but can take a little more sun. And Sedum telephioides, with its glaucous leaves and pink starry flowers, will reach a foot in height.
If you construct a container that is a minimum of one foot by two foot in size, you can create a small habitat for several different species. One example would be to plant Aster linarifolius (Stiff Aster) in the center of the container. Its foliage resembles Rosemary, and its blue petals and yellow corona will be a welcome sight in early fall. On one corner, you could plant Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell). Its delicate and dark purple flowers bloom in early summer. On the opposite corner, you can use Antennaria virginica (Shale-barren Pussytoes) with its silvery rosettes of fuzzy leaves. Iris verna (Dwarf Iris) can be planted at another corner. Its purple flowers appear in early spring. And finally Meehania cordata (Meehania), with its one-inch pale blue flowers, could be placed at the last corner and allowed to spread over the sides of the container.
Growing native plants in hypertufa containers will become a new and fascinating gardening experience. You will be able to enjoy the beauty of plants that grow in diverse habitats and are not often seen by gardeners. Your choices of what species to grow is limited only by your enthusiasm and the size of your hypertufa container.
Reprinted with permission from the Marietta Register
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