Gardening: Winter Containers, Time for the Switch

Once again, it is time to change over those tired-looking container gardens adorning the walkways, porches, and decks of our Scotch Plains and Fanwood homes. And, what perfect timing — the weather is nice and your containers will be looking great for Thanksgiving!

My favorite suggestion for an awesome plant to fill winter planters is the Dwarf Alberta Spruce. It is an adorable evergreen shrub that looks just like a miniature Christmas tree. The dense, bright green foliage almost never needs pruning. They are slow growers so they will not outgrow their pots too quickly.

In fact, the township of Scotch Plains has chosen the Alberta Spruce to fill its planters for the holidays.

Albertas take pruning very well and are often times trimmed into sprials in addition to being left in their natural form. They need very little care other than the occasional watering and an acidic fertilizer in the spring. They are hardy, dense plants that can even take decorating with strands of clear or multicolored lights and decorations for a festive glow.

Oh, and did I mention that they can remain attractive as your container plants all year round? Dwarf Alberta Spruce can be planted on their own in the winter, or perhaps combined with some colorful cabbage or kale.  n the warmer months  it is very easy to add a few annuals around the spruce to achieve the color you are looking for in the spring and summer months.

So if you are looking for a versatile and easy-to-grow plant that is a superb species of evergreen for outdoor containers, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce is for you. Why not go for one? You'll be very glad you did as you admire their simplicity and beauty throughout the winter to come.

Tracy A. Smith is Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch's gardening columnist and the general manager at Parker Gardens. Look for her column here every week.