In the past 2 years I have become a big fan of alfalfa pellets. Sold in 50 lb sacks for about $13, it's horse food. All kinds of plants seem to love it. The downside is that it looks terrible, especially after it breaks down, it looks yucky. I use it anyway. 3-0-2 plus micronutrients, and it's a soil conditioner. If I had an unlimited supply of compost I would toss the alfalfa pellets around, then cover them up with compost.
Christine

I use 14-14-14 Osmocote every spring. I just thought it wouldnt be a bad idea.

I toss alfalfa pellets around and also try to top dress the entire garden annually. I do not have a problem with how the alfalfa pellets look. Too many plants too close together to see or worry about it :)

I use 5-10-10 once in the spring but they are planted in good soil. I have a number of heucheras in containers and they get Miracle-Gro a lot, like all my containers which are mostly annuals. I have to say those heucheras are triple the size of those in the ground, not that I plan on Miracle-Gro-ing my perennials.

I went to a lecture given by Dan Heims of Terra Nova on Saturday and he mentioned fertilizing those he has in containers in his display garden but no others. He has some huge moss/coir hanging baskets full of Huecheras that hang in big trees.

I have pictures from an open day at Terra Nova but for some reason Photobucket is blocking my pictures from showing lately. Haven't figured out what the problem is.