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Inspiration needed for large planter - what should I plant?
I have an old water tank which I am intending to use as a planter.
It is going to be sited on this North facing wall getting almost no direct sunlight. It is also exposed to the prevailing wind and we're located on top of a hill so it does get windy. The size is 90cm x 60cm with 50cm in depth. I don't want to totally cover the window behind it but it is OK to have some height. Something to cascade over the sides a little would be nice.
So, what are your thoughts?
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Is it made from Copper? Then you need to prevent the soil from reacting with it, as it is poisonous to plants.
Looks like galvanised steel.
It's a really good sized planter! Cries out for a small tree or large shrub but would that be OK in front of a window? If you fancy growing a bamboo it would be a good container, seeing as the roots will be completely confined.
I've thought about bamboo, but not where the container is currently. Maybe I'll think about a different position in the garden. I'm not going to rush into filling it as once it is full of soil it will be moving nowhere.
As Will suggested, it is made out of galvanised steel. If it was copper I'd be down the recyclers weighing it in
Cant you put wheels on it and mix the soil with hydrokorrels to make it movable?
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/plants/bowles-mauve/1009734.html
see image of a large planter that I am hoping to replicate this year.
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I could put wheels on it but they'd have to be very substantial to take the weight and cope with all the uneven surfaces I have. I think once I've committed to a spot I'll fill it up and that is where it will stay. Aubretia and Bowles Mauve are both pretty suggestions but I think require more sun than I'm able to give them.
Look into Heavenly Bamboo, Nadina Domestica, not strictly a bamboo, but have similar style but also very garden worthy shrubs. The leaves change colours in the autumn and winter time and the flowers and berries make a great backdrop to any temporary summer bedding plants. They can cope in a north aspect. Take a look at wax begonias for the summer months.
Last edited: 14 February 2018 17:44:37
Interesting comments there Freddies Dad, there are plenty of Nadina Domestica shrubs around the estate where I live and many are on a north and east aspect. I agree that it needs sun to produce the berries, but the wind is not affecting it much. They will lose some leaves in harsh frost, but in my opinion, against a wall, they should be fine.
Sarcococca and Osmanthus Burkwoodii shrubs are another evergreen option.