Last year I planted daffodils in an old cooler on our north facing, 2nd floor balcony, and we’ve been rewarded with a lovely display this year. I’m now more ambitious – I want to plant a shade-loving honeysuckle or clematis. I’ve purchased a large plastic container – 26″ x 16″ and 14″ deep. My plan is to build a wooden box slightly bigger, place the plastic box in it with insulation (fibre glass or styrofoam) between both. Question: will this be sufficient to keep the roots from freezing. The balcony is somewhat protected from snow and rain by 3rd fl balcony. Also if you think this would work which honeysuckly and clematis would you recommend, please? Thank you for any help you can provide. Have a blooming day!
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners:
Our website has a Toronto Master Gardeners Guide to Container Gardening
The information on container gardening is extensive and you should be able to find the information you require. You already understand that your pots need to be on the larger side, require winter protection, insulation and drainage. You also need to protect plants from drying winds, fluctuating temperature, and with the freeze and thaw of winter. There are many varieties of honeysuckle and clematis vines. Both are plants that can be grown in containers if properly planted.
For the honeysuckle I would recommend ‘Goldflame’ Honeysuckle (Lonicera x heckrotti), a low maintenance vine that does well in sun and part shade and can be pruned to maintain its shape or size. Other honysuckles are mention in our post: Native Honeysuckle
Clematis is a large family of vines; choices that will do well in a pot as long as they have support. This link offers a list of cold hardy varieties that do well in Zone 3 and 4, although not all are easy to find: Cold Hardy Clematis to Grow in pots Gardeners Path