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Advice needed for planters please

carrieholroydcarrieholroyd Posts: 9
edited May 2018 in Plants
Hi, I am looking for some help/advice as a novice gardener. I am wanting to bring some colour into the garden - I would like some miniature trees that I can grow in large pots but have no idea on what kind can be grown in pots. Preferably something that has some coloured flowering and is not too easy to kill 🙈🙈 I am looking for 2-3 types that compliment each other if possible but would settle for a few of the same if needs be.

Also, have some large planters, any tips for beginners as to what to fill them with.

sorry it is a very broad question- just looking for some inspiration really.

Thabk you in advance. I’d appreciate any advice at all.
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Welcome. What aspect are you looking for - sun / shade / mix? How sheltered is the spot? How big the planters?
  • carrieholroydcarrieholroyd Posts: 9
    Hi, thank you for responding.
    The area for both is a mix of sun/shade.
    our house is East facing- we get a lot morning sun and then it disappears and returns later in the day as the building next to ours is one story.
    The planters are approx 1500x400.
    just looking for colourful, easy-ish maintaining. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Miniature trees with flowers? And planters with flowers?

    Are you looking for year round colour or mostly a spring / summer display?

    Annuals or perennials that come back year after year?

    Strong colour cultivars or more wild, native-ish planting? 
  • carrieholroydcarrieholroyd Posts: 9
    I would preferably like things that come back year after year. 

    Would love some strong colour... it’s all a bit green and not much else at the minute. 

    Which miniture trees could you recommend? Suppose it would take a few years to fully grow and flower? 

    thank you 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited May 2018
    Some herbaceous clematis can be lovely up obelisks. They flower all summer.

    Climbing fuchsia (tied in over a wigwam) and shrubby, perennial, hardy fuchsia.

    Pyracanthus can be lovely shrub - evergreen, covered in flowers in the spring and berries in the autumn/winter. Good for wildlife. But spikey.

    Shrubs are more likely to be in long flower than trees.

    Perennial salvias are lovely - coming in strong reds like Bumble, yellows, and purples. They are a huge group (easy to cultivate). Drought tolerant. But be sure to find hardy perennials. Many are winter tender which are a faff.

    Plants like geraniums (cranesbill) have a low habit and will flower for ages, with strong colours - blues, pinks and purples. Hard to kill. Generous and cheap.

    Plants like diascia flower all summer long and come in bright colours. Although they are sold as annuals, mine have been going strong and spreading for five years.

    Putting in a load of bulbs (spring and summer flowering) will give a cheap and easy shot of strong colour coming back year after. Iris reticulata (Feb-March). Tete a tete. Scilla. Species tulips ... for spring. Crocosmia for summer. They require pretty much zero effort after planting.

    Some ideas. I hope it helps. x
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    We have three acers in pots on the patio (yellow, red, green), grouped together. They don't flower, and they lose their leaves, but are very low-maintenance and reliable, and definitely add a pop of colour. 
    Lincolnshire
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I find acers a bit temperamental - re sun, shade, pruning, soil, water, winter etc. I guess it depends which one you get. I'm losing patience with mine - they are acting like tantruming six year olds. But then I inherited them with the house. If you chose one, get the most laid back, sweet-natured one you can find. 
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    Maybe we were just lucky with our acers. Our kids on the other hand are still tantruming well into their teens!
    Lincolnshire
  • ladygardener2ladygardener2 Posts: 371
    I've had an acer in a container for years and years and it still looks fab and has hardly grown much at all. Although it looses it's leaves in winter it has lovely orange coloured new growth which turns to a lovely lime green. A bit of shelter from the wind and partial shade keeps it happy. Also in containers, you could have one of the Paniculata Hydrangea, also deciduous but easy to keep. How about going for a highly scented Rose, there would be tons to choose from and underplant with one of the smaller Nepetia or some Lavender? 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    To me, the OP's garden doesn't sound sunny enough for nepeta or lavender or many roses....
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