I just planted two bare-root fruit trees (an apple and a plum) in large pots for the first time, and I'm curious if I can also grow flowers around them to make the pots look nicer come spring and summer. Would this be a good idea, and do you have any flower recommendations? Are there any reasons I should avoid doing this?
3 Answers
If you're using a big pot, go for it! Small annuals like lobelia are great options since they won't compete too much with the trees. You could even add in some small bulbs for extra color without overdoing it.
Hey there! You can definitely grow flowers around your fruit trees, as long as you choose shallow-rooted varieties. But keep in mind that fruit trees, especially in pots, have a hard time competing for water and nutrients. If it's a big pot, it might work, but expect lower fruit production since the flowers will take some of those resources. I’ve got quite a few fruit trees, and they thrive much better once moved to the ground.
You can plant just about any basket annual, as long as your soil drains well and the watering is on point. You’ll want to keep an eye on how thirsty both the flowers and the trees are, though!