Im new to this. However, the average olive tree's life span is somewhere . JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. It tolerates regular pruning and grows up to 10 . With the Olive Tree Bible App you can access the Olive Tree store, and build a robust reference library that will be available on all of your devices. Oct 27, 2019 - olive trees zone 8 underplanting & or pavers. They are good for people going to sleep. Plants that are to be grown under trees and at the bases of hedges need to be chosen with care. Adding plants under any tree is a common technique for integrating that tree into a landscape and avoiding empty space. Olive trees are evergreen, meaning that their foliage will remain green and persist all year long, regardless of the season. This gives the planting continuity and a cohesive effect. As well, fertilizing boosts the trees' growth. Nasturtium plants are also low maintenance, easy to grow, and a great companion for olive trees. Foliage and smaller stems are damaged by temperatures in the high teens, according to Texas A&M University, and the tree will die back to the ground . FREE delivery Thu, Feb 16 . (3feet tall). Santolina is a Mediterranean evergreen subshrub perfect for dry, hot summer and full sun. It is easy to grow and flourish well under olive trees and among other plants. Succulents are remarkably adaptable and can be one of the favorite options as companion plants for olive trees. Im not happy with the pot, so am eager to repot to terracotta. They deliver fast, neat, and healthy plants backed with a 30-day guarantee.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'oliviadaolive_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_18',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oliviadaolive_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); Thanks! Note that a few may be considered invasive in some states. Yarrow not only commonly used as a medical herb that treats minor wounds, reduces fever, and more, but as well attracts lacewings and ladybugs, which feed on aphids.Yarrow plant is easy to grow and well adaptable, has a medical purpose as well. Succulents are amazingly low-maintenance and resilient plants, requiring little to no care. Another excellent companion plant for olive trees is Mediterranean herbs. Olive Trees. This is a wonderful idea. Be careful not to cultivate under the trees roots to much as this will disturb them. 1. Petunias are among the most popular companion plants for olive trees. The flowers bring fragrance and a tropical feel to gardens. If growing in a container or raised bed, prepare a soil-based mix of compost and grit, with added organic matter and nutrients. Should they be scattered throughout truly randomly or should there be any order to it? $84.99 $ 84. Dry-curing: These olives get packed in salt for a month or longer. Either would be good around olives. Add white nerines to extend the display into autumn. Then, simply add the new plants and cover them back with soil. Evergreen, charismatic, tolerant of neglect and as shapely as you want, they can be tailor-made to fit any space, highly tolerant to heavy cutting back and shaping. Dry-cured olives have a deeply concentrated flavor, and a wrinkly, prune-like appearance. Welcome! Also, avoid damaging the bark at the base of the tree. I just purchased a house that has been vacant a while in Miami, Florida(zone My Star Jasmine has hundreds of small black mites (aphids?) Plant thyme as a ground cover; it's quite good between stepping stones if the stones are spaced 2 inches (5 cm) or more apart. Here in Greece I can find land with a mix of olive and orange trees also (though rare example! Hi Cleona, yes we use the same enormous nets here in Greece. You will never regret introducing oregano in your seasoning set due to its strong aroma and spicy intense flavor. When choosing plants, remember that leaves are your best friend. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Hopefully i Greece it will manage a few feet more. This has really helped me plan out my permaculture olive grove. #bathingbeauty #femalebullfrog #thecompanyi, Seed-filled wood poppy pods aka celandine poppy ak, Fragility, impermanencethese are the thoughts o, A fitting welcome to the first day of winter: Need, an update on underplanting trees and shrubs, making mosaics: my video on underplanting, recap: 10 thoughts on successful underplanting, vines off the trellis, the creative use of climbers, with dan long, the bees in your backyard, with olivia carril, natural garden design, with benjamin vogt, less work, healthier soil: no-dig gardening, with charles dowding, big perennials, fragrance, foodscaping: declaring some trends, with jared barnes, growing hellebores, with judith knott tyler, ujamaa seeds, vessels of cultural heritage, with bonnetta adeeb, my latest assignment: a series in the new york times, Click here for info on the favorites above, https://robinhoodradioondemand.com/podcast-player/29859/rethinking-lawn-with-dan-wilder-a-way-to-garden-with-margaret-roach-june-27-2022.mp3, garden columnist for The New York Times,. They grow well with olive trees and have similar needs in terms of watering and soil nutrition. It is used to make furniture or articles of everyday use. The olive has deep enough roots and wont mind bedding down in clay, but small perennials will. This small, evergreen, native red-flowering gum tree has clusters of large red flowers in later summer. A must-have underneath deciduous trees. How to Make Gardening Easier for You: 5 Things You Must Know. Thus if you are not sure which companion plant to choose for your olive trees, then you can mix multiple plants and herbs and place them under your olive tree. True confession: I have come very slowly and painfully to this lesson, dragged by some much more talented friends, Glenn Withey and Charles Price of Seattle. When the tree is bare in winter, the bromeliads and succulents provide a colourful feature. #silverspottedskipper #awaytogarden #l, Poser. Classic Mediterranean Herbs are other plants that can be underplanted with olive plants. Great! Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Growing Zone. In this case, these good bugs like to eat other bugs such as aphids that love to eat olive tree leaves.Here is an olive grove in Kalamata naturally underplanted with beautiful daisies one of the most popular wildflowers to enjoy. I host a public-radio podcast; I alsolecture, plus hold tours at my 2.3-acre Hudson Valley (NY) Zone 5B garden in normal years, and always say noto chemicals andyesto great plants. Indeed, plant selection in a garden is the key to creating a beautiful garden. Soil Management Part 2, Olive Tree Leaves Yellow with Black Spots (Why and How to Fix it? Olive tree leaves are silvery green in color, they are more pale on the underside, and more dull on the topside. We have just had a low wall built around the base of each of the trees I'd love to add some planting inside the wall but I'm stuck for ideas. 7. Grass lawns generally need too much water for an olive tree, but there are some ground covers that pair well with olives. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. organic-flavored-olive-oil-375ml-subscription. Because most ornamental Olive Trees are placed in pots that do not contain ceramic drainage holes, there is also a risk of creating a pool of standing water below your Olive Tree. I would like to plant under a large magnolia tree we have, but it drops such a heavy amount of leaves, I am not sure how to remove the leaves without damaging the plants. And, every spring, aim to cut back the Germanderplant stems by about fifty percent. Moreover, growing parsley also makes a lovely edging herb plant with its curly foliage that invites good flies and wasps which kill harmful predators for your olive trees and other plants.Parsley is a widely cultivated herb suitable to grow next to olive trees or anywhere in your garden. His children have progresively sold off the plots but no one can explain the reasoning for the close planting of the orange and olive trees. Try planting a few sage, which can grow somewhat shrubby. Make space for some real gems. I heard this tip on American Restorations this past week. Additionally, it attracts lacewings and ladybugs, which feed on aphids.5 Of The Best Companion Plants For Olive Trees To Know About plantsheaven.com. Lupines bloom on tall spikes known as panicles, while clover creates small, white pom-poms (which are highly attractive to honeybees) and spreads green foliage. Dig a hole twice the diameter of your potted tree and as deep. Buy (or divide) so you have lots of each mainstay to get you started. Olive tree with Ergeron - wouldn't they work together well? And so I cried, feeling out of control on so many levels. Grow them in terracotta pots or old olive oil tins for a complete Mediterranean look. Mass plant this grass, which has fine arching blue leaves, to create a waterfall effect. Oliviada Kalamata Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 4 x 750ml Glass Bottles, 6 Months Olive Tree Adoption - Special Gift from Kalamata, Greek Olive Oil Favors - Miniatures - Bonbonnieres. The trunk is about 3-4 inches in diameter. Learn how your comment data is processed. Classic Mediterranean Herbs 5. The lessons have involved some yelling, and even some tears (mine, not theirs). Required fields are marked *. In fact it owes it's verdance to the rains of winter. Inspired by the underplanting of hellebores and trillium and other earlybirds and ephemerals under the oldest ofmy old apple.. The Olive tree has become a major, woody weed that displaces native vegetation and the problem is not limited to Europe. But finding the perfect plant to grow underneath them can be a bit of a challenge because of their structure, and root system.. pots with numerous side branches and a height of 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) You plant different crops in proximity to maximize space use, provide nutrients, shade, or support, increase crop productivity, attract beneficial insects, pest control, repelling pests pollination, or provide a space for good creatures. There is no authentic Greek dish without oregano, so this herb is valued by every Greek family and grows everywhere: under the olive tree, in the pots indoor, or in the kitchen. Olive trees are evergreen trees with grey-green leaves with green or black fruit in autumn and early winter. This website uses JavaScript to apply discounts. Other Companion Plants for Olive Trees Ideas, Oliviada olive grove + Kalamata olive oil, Cultivating Olive Trees. Overall, olive trees (Olea Europaea) are: Choosing the right companion plants for your olive trees can be intimidating, but you will make the process successful and effortless with these 5 of the best companion plants for olive trees. The variegated true myrtle, Myrtus . 1. As well, you can grow them under an olive tree to bring a different charm to your garden. The olive tree is an evergreen that flourishes in hot dry areas and as such, will not do well in wet winter soil. Thriving relatively dry and infertile soils. Alys Fowler answers your gardening questions. But in this context, God says to use " the anointing oil ". The oldest certified olive tree is the Olive tree of Vouves Crete, Greece and is over 2000 years old. Under-watering Underwatered olive tree leaves turn crispy, and branches die Another problem with olive trees in pots is under-watering issues. They are prolific producers and look counter intuitive when you see them close up. Dill is not only a popular herb in your kitchen but can be a great companion to your olive tree. Any clues or anecdotes? Since April 2020, I have been the garden columnist for The New York Times, where I began my journalism career decades ago. Dont be afraid to try to mix different varieties of plants next to olive trees you can always transplant them easily into a new space next spring! If that was mine [ although they don't grow here ] I'd get a really smart pot for it, top dress with grit, and then do as, Sorry for butting in.would the same apply to a bay tree in a pot (in regards to the roots and space)? 4. I need a string trimmer. Or red petunias in terracotta pots under the olive tree. Trees reach bearing age at about 4 years. Whether it's a lime tree in the back corner or a blueberry in the front . The soil in these spots of the garden can be dry, depleted of nutrients and shady, and not all plants will grow in those conditions. We have lots more on the site to show you. Discount code cannot be combined with the offers applied to the cart. yes, I think rosemary as an accent plant has its merits. It is an evergreen subshrub that blooms lavender-like flowers. Nasturtium plants as well are easy to grow, maybe climbing, cascading, or bushy. When you water an outdoor olive tree, make sure the water doesn't run off. 2. Planting Olive Bushes and Trees When planting or potting your Olive Bush it's best to choose a south or west facing location as it will flourish better in a sunny sheltered spot. Discount code found, it will be applied at checkout. In VA, you could probably do that now - a day or two with temps above 50F and the grass growing will be enough. We recommend that growers also review comprehensive research information available through ANR, including the Olive Production Manual, Organic Olive Production Manual and UC IPM Online. Olive trees are non-fruiting plants best suited if you do not want to attract rodents into your garden. Nutrition Part 3, Cultivating Olive Trees. Something to ponder about in this pre-packed age. No ring-around-the-rosey, thanks anyway. To be eligible for discounts, please enable JavaScript for your browser. Some of the stuff I planted in the garden are perennial or reseeding greens that used to be my wild pickings, things such as sorrel, fiddle heads, mache, arugula and chicory, and of course I still eat the dandelions and purslane that come up as weeds in the garden. Above all,borage keeps a vital balance in your garden and helps with pollination. It was not until later that I realise that I had actually been eating the weeds! Your email address will not be published. An olive tree indoors will thrive on a 16-16-16 nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium ratio. 10. It is a carefree plant with little need. How to Grow Light Soil Water Fertilizer Growing and Harvesting Back to Top The almond belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae), making it a relative of several well-known fruit trees. But the ground cover varieties I have tasted were horribly bitter. THE PLANT CATALOGS look delicious, but what plans have you made for where those wishlist items might go, and how many of each do you.. The Olive Tree Bible App offers three auto-renewing subscription options, and you have a 14 Day Free trial to try them! 2. Formal look: Westringa Grey Box or other compact variety. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. How To Get Burnt Grass Green Again: A Quick Guide - plantsheaven.com My picks of garden gear, books, and mulch, mulch more, all things I use myself. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). On my first visits to Greece I used to always wonder why all the wome seemed to have bunches of 'weeds' in their hands, sometimes even large bundles tied across their backs. Think of the color range of heucheras alone you could employ, or hostasfoliage is hardly boring. Plants that deter or lure away harmful bugs, 2. The discount code cannot be applied to the cart. Informal look: Snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum). Ideally, companion plants attract pollinators, build soil, repel pests, and are visually appealing. Discount code cannot be applied to the cart. This is a good base for dwarf olive trees or regular types. ). In winter, you can reduce watering but don't allow the compost to dry out completely. I shouted. Olive trees add interest to patios and look spectacular paired at an entrance or doorway. I am SO excited you are here! Otherwise, if trees are planted too close they require constant pruning so that canopies do not merge into one. So happy that I happened upon this as I am planning on attempting an underplanting project in the very near future. The following plants are a great combination of olive companion trees thateither deter or lure away harmful unwanted bugs. This gardening nonsense is all about patiencefrankly I think its a patience-building practice more than anything else. Pruning can be tricky. A COUPLE OF YOU COMMENTED when I posted a spring walk in the garden story years back, asking for help with the subject of underplanting trees and shrubs (including my oldest magnolia, below). We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Your email address will not be published. I bought a property that has 7 large lilac bushes (several different varieties). HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. And the olive will freeze during severe cold. Still interested in learning how to think mosaic, as I now call underplanting (including in the little video above)? Please ensure the cart meets the requirements to apply this discount code. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Olive Type: Arbequina. We get commissions for purchases made through links. . Log in or register to join the conversation. I wouldn't as you would need quite a big pot to keep both well fed and happy. How To Successfully Remove Aphids From Kale: A Quick Guide, link to How to Make Gardening Easier for You: 5 Things You Must Know, link to How To Get Burnt Grass Green Again: A Quick Guide. Legumes to Build up Minerals 4. 1. Press Esc to cancel. A dwarf Phormium such as 'Tom Thumb'. Indeed, combining plants in a garden is an art that rewards you with a magical view. Margaret's weekly public-radio show, from Robin Hood Radio in Sharon, CT, the smallest NPR station in the nation. An olive tree loves deep watering with a decent drainage system. This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and The borage herb is old-fashioned and native to the Middle East, growing over 2 feet (61 cm.) When blooming, the French lavender ( Lavandula stoechas) and thyme would also attract pollinators. Both trees: olives and oranges like similar conditions so no surprise they can grow together successfully. 5 Of The Best Companion Plants For Olive Trees To Know About plantsheaven.com. Peas are also low maintenance and very easy to grow, and you can grow peas everywhere for their edible seeds and elevate your gardens charms. Discover our range of frangipani trees here. What other Mediterranean flowering plant could cope there? It has a spreading crown, but it does not cast dense shade on the plants. Next, add a layer of compost all over the garden bed. BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT NEW PRODUCTS, EXCLUSIVE PROMOTIONS, EVENTS & MORE. What are the Best Companion Plants for Olive Trees? Easy enough to top dress to improve the appearance of you don't fancy looking at the soil. Plus we marinate or add herbs to just about everything we eat before dessert. There are different types, ranging from small ornamental shrubs ( Prunus glandulosa) grown only for their pretty flowers to medium-sized trees that produce edible nuts. Plant clumps for a pre- to early-spring flower display. Companion planting has been natures way of planting crops to optimize space. But a sheltered spot in the garden, on the balcony or terrace is also gratefully accepted in summer. A thick bed of coarse mulch (pick your favorite material that is well-draining) that you can plant your annuals through will create the clear zone under the dogwood. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hes also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book Native Plants for New England Gardens., (Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.). My rosemary only grows to about 3 ft, but I suppose thats the drawbac of an un-mediterranean climate as we have in Scotland! Theoretically, there are some Mediterranean and other plants that work as fruit fly repellants, such as basil, peppermint, mint, citronella, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, clove, marigold, and tansy. Hi, my friends brought a small plot of land in the mediteranean east and it has olives and oranges planted in pairs approx 70 centimeters between trunks and multiple rows @ 2 meter spacing. Cherry laurel. They grow well with other Mediterranean or dry climate plants. All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative. Borage. Read about plants that will grow under trees in summer and autumn. Which relates to this lesson: 9. Grow them in terracotta pots or old olive oil tins for a complete Mediterranean look. Otherwise it might get rangy (this from experience in a warmer climate, when I had just rosemary and sage). Classic signs of an overwatered Olive Tree include yellow, discolored . All these plants like well-drained soil, so you can implement an irrigation system to keep them saturated during the driest season. Once youve selected a palette, repeat, repeat, repeat. The salt pulls the moisture and bitterness from the olives. Plant your olive trees in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Stay with us and keep reading to learn more about what you can plant next to your olive tree. Best companion plants for olive trees are the ones to improve the health of your olive tree, meets the same water needs, and arent fragile for dropping olive fruits. Be careful digging around the roots when planting under a tree. You can do this too! Rosemary is available either as a ground cover or as a shrub. Companion plants are an essential part of successful gardening. Peas are lovely plants that release nitrogen into the ground, benefiting very hungry olive trees. Look for a miniature, young version of whatever you're underplanting so it has room to grow, and dig a few holes around the perimeter of the pot or container. There is a difference between these two words. See more ideas about pavers, permeable paving, backyard landscaping. Plants that attract the right bugs 3. Borage is another similar herb plant that prevents olive trees from pests and attracts pollinating bees. It is said that the leaves have a calming effect. 1. In addition, olive trees are hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, live longer (about 1500 years), and survive harsh weather conditions, including dry conditions and drought. Beyond the garden, you can use lemon balm for a variety of purposes including stress relief or improve digestive health. Any suggestions would really be appreciated. They will grow and thrive even as understory plants. discountable-products-employees, The good thing about nasturtium is that it is a cheerful, quick-growing plant with colorful, edible flowers. When planted with figs, it would deter insects and pests such as aphids and fruit flies, which is very helpful when the fig tree begins to . Things got started really badly, and I feared for the friendship. The McEvoy Ranch Social Club is a community of culinary enthusiast who appreciate food, wine, beauty, the arts, and sustainable living. Also in most pots I'd think their root system would be disturbed by underplanting and wouldn't like to add competition and stress. The grey green of the olive leaves and the grey Santolina looks very well together. Selected for its deep burgundy leaf colour. Monthly: $5.99 USD per month; Semi-Annually, $29.99 USD per six-months;. Most olive trees are supplied pot grown, so they can be planted at any time of the year, unless the soil is frozen. and thyme. I like the sweeps of each kind of plant to be more amoebic in shape, weaving into another sweep of another plant the way paisleys in a fabric interweave. So many of them can be the best combination for your tree and add charm to your landscape. In terms of color match, Santolina looks very similar and fits perfectly with silver-green olive oil leaves color. But, I do my VERY best to make sure the information shared on this blog is both accurate and helpful. Olive trees will do well under-planted with some Mediterranean shrubs and ground covers. Add some fertilizer or compost to the hole, as well as any soil additives or substrates the underplants may need to thrive. Mass plant for a sea of silver foliage and white flowers to contrast with the purple leaves of the tree. Many of the plants chosen are drought-tolerant, such as the olive trees ( Olea europaea ), dusty miller ( Senecio sp.) ), mugo pine ( Pinus mugo , USDA zones 2-8), dwarf blue spruce ( Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa,' USDA zones 2-7), and Russian arborvitae ( Microbiota decussata , USDA zones 3-7) are a few needled evergreen shrubs to grow near a birch tree. Artificial Olive Tree, 6ft Faux Olive Tree Plant with Woven Planter and Moss, Realistic Olive Branch, Fake Silk Olive Tree in Pot for Home Office Garden Store Indoor Outdoor Decor, 1248 Leaves(6ft) 4.1 out of 5 stars 99. The best companion plants for citrus trees include wildflowers, nasturtium, lavender, rosemary, and chives. Succulents are one of the best companion plants for olive trees because they are exceptionally adaptable. This graceful small tree produces its deep, rich, burgundy leaves as the delicate pink blossoms finish in spring. Hi Michelle, ideally you should look for local plants that grow in shade or partial shade. Having and maintaining green grass is one of the most important goals for every Hello friends, I am Altin. There is an interesting article about hort here excellent. 10 tips for underplanters 1. They all require only a moderate amount of water. I am partial to epimediums, European ginger, Hackonechola macra All Gold, hellebores (above, in bloom), perennial geraniums of a semi-evergreen nature (like Biokovo or macrorrhizum), among many. For example, it never can go wrong if you plant lavender together with rosemary or oregano. Mission Olive: Can grow up to 25-30 feet tall in the garden, but in pots, it attains a height of 4-5 feet. However, if olive trees are planted too closely, shading eventually reduces fruit production (both trees do not flower and do not produce fruit in full shade). Their bases are nearly 2 m across and and the trees are approx 20 m high, so underneath is in heavy shade. It is easy growing an annual herb. The following plants are part of a useful Mediterranean composition: Bay laurels. What are the Best Companion Plants for Olive Trees? The copy-and-paste features let me copy and paste easily to Twitter if I want to create a tweet out of . . Selected for evergreen foliage. Germander originates from the Mediterranean and is drought, soil, and exposure tolerant. If you are looking to add more potted trees or other plants to your orchard, or if you like to replace a neglected olive tree, the best places to get them are your local nursery or an online nursery. Notice I say divisions, because when working in the root zone of trees and even established shrubs, you want to work with a small trowel or a hori-hori, and plant small things. Additionally, Germander is also a carefree plant. Work it. In addition, lavender is one of the best companion plants for olive trees that, makes a great addition to your landscape, and has many culinary uses. However, if it is kept well-watered during the spring, dormancy may be delayed until late summer or early fall. Adopt an Olive Tree in Greece Receive Premium Olive Oil from Kalamata! This post contains affiliate links. But, after talking with some professionals and realising how severe the dacus problem has been in the recent years, I am willing to try anything to avoid the need for spraying and/or using traps.I am working with an empty plot so no limitations there :). No ring-around-the-rosey, thanks anyway. Olive trees have a small, white blossom that usually blooms four years after planting a seedling. ImMargaret Roach, a leading garden writer for 30 yearsat Martha Stewart Living, Newsday, and in three books. Additionally, they are editable, and you can use them to lure aphids away from your olive tree growing next to them. An emblematic specimen of arid landscapes. Therefore, the ideal year-around place for an olive tree is a heated winter garden. Informal look: Red geraniums. Clip dwarf westringia into balls or cubes to create a formal look. That goes for many Mediterranean species. The dark leaf colour provides a foil for leafy green shrubs or clumps of bulbs. Yes, the Holy Spirit is 100 per cent involved here. Then follow the directions above for loosening the roots and planting. Which leads to the next lesson: 3. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. I will make sure I plant swathes of it! The two trees at the entrance to the house are old, rugged and full o character of their own, but as there is no colour in my new garden thi is the ideal location to add a splash. Clip for a neat groundcover. I like the rake called Yard Butler that is not too heavy, and some people use a leaf blower (which I do not have). 5. Suitable companion plants for olive trees are plants that promote your olive trees health and have similar water needs. Include some groundcover types, meaning plants that form thick mats (but not English ivy or pachysandra or vinca!). Planting in a Container - After the threat of frost has passed, prepare your container and soil mix.