Balcony Troughs in sunny situation

Question

I would like a selection of plants to put into our troughs for the winter, that will not be too hard work to keep watering on a daily basis
, or get a self watering trough MAYBE as it has been a nightmare not forseeing this hot summer to keep plants alive and thriving even geraniums,,,what do you suggest for I USE which will home owner friendly please
cant down load tried no success sorry

Answer 1

If you want plant material for the winter you need to go with mostly evergreens. You are in zone 6a so here are some suggestions:
Shrubs: aucuba (shade), azalea (shade), dwarf nandina (sun), boxwood (sun), inkberry (sun), camellia (part-sun), false holly (sun), Sunshine Ligustrum (sun).
Perennials: Hellebore, candytuft, pansy (cool season annual), lilyturf (sun or shade), coral bells (part sun), Christmas fern (shade), Autumn fern (shade).

Keep the troughs in a protected area since containers during winter require even more cold hardiness since plants are not in the ground.
You can look up many of these in our database for more information on individual plants.