adelem@tekecs.UUCP (Adele Mangiapane) (08/13/85)
The reason for posting to both net.garden and net.rec.birds will become clear as you read on. Recently, we moving to a floating home (houseboat) on Hayden Island in the Columbia River at Portland, Oregon. This fulfills our compulsion to be near water, but not my penchant for gardens. I need suggestions on what to plant and how to plant. Here are the questions and guidelines. 1. What types of containers? Are there distinct advantages or disadvantages to certain types of wood or clay or plastic? I have been told to use barrels with steel bands so they don't rust & fall apart, but I can't seem to find these. 2. Keep all suggestions low maintenance. We are both working folks with limited free time and an amazing lack of green thumbs. 3. What plants are attractive, hardy, and do well in the shallow soil of planters? Can they "weather over" or do they have to be removed in the winter (that's extra work)? Portland has relatively mild winters but there is a lot of dampness and some below freezing days. 4. Can bulbs be grown in planters? I have not had success before. 5. What small trees and shrubs can be grown in tubs? 6. What annual and perennial flowers can you suggest? I am particularly anxious to attract hummingbirds -- and to avoid attracting barn swallows, which nest on the houseboats and create a mess! 7. What hanging plants do you suggest? We would really like some fuschias, but these in our last apartment were a problem. They immediately withered from the sun and needed daily over-watering to straggle along. I would appreciate suggestions and advice from people who have gardened in similar circumstances. Suggestions on available books would also be appreciated. Thanks for any help you can provide. Please send suggestions by email. If there is sufficient interest, I will post a summary. Adele