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Bush/Shrub suggestions for a large planter in semi-shady spot...

RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
in Plants
Greetings all

Looking for a colourful option (Autumn or Spring flowering) to fill a corner and a rather large empty pot (previously occupied by a Hosta).

Considering something that will stay relatively small i.e. 1-1.5m in height and easy to maintain.

Open to inspiration!
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Posts

  • RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
    As an early thought, I'm very much drawn to the Fuji Cherry Tree...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Fuji cherry looks lovely in the spring when it's flowering but looks quite boring the rest of the year.  What about Potentilla "Abbotswood White"?  Flowers for quite a long time and you can get other colours.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
    Nice suggestion. I will certainly look into these!
  • CFCCFC Posts: 71

    A bit left field but what about Cornus kousa 'China Girl'? Interest for most of the year and you could keep it to the size required.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited July 2018
    Osmanthus burkwoodii, or Sarcococca. Both evergreen.  :)
    Potentillas - yes, and also hardy Fuchsias. The white one 'Abbotswood', as already suggested,  is particularly good as white lights up shady areas really well. 
    Pieris will do fine in containers.
    Make sure you use a soil based medium for any shrub in a container long term   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ladygardener2ladygardener2 Posts: 371
    I agree Sarcocca is wonderful and evergreen with it's lovely shiny leaves and can be kept to whatever size you want it, quite slow growing too. What makes it really special 'tho are the tiny white flowers with the most wonderful and welcome scent in winter. It could be underplanted with little Snowdrops or Crocus to extend the interest.
      It's hard to beat ferns in this postition too and one like Dryopteris erythrosora has the most wonderful rusty/orange new fronds. It's actually easy to keep to whatever size you want by taking out the leaves which turn green as they age. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It is lovely ladyG - the Osmanthus is the same - little white flowers late winter/early spring. I have snowdrops, crocus and a few daffs under mine, as well as a couple of other things - it's in a small raised bed though,  so a bit more room :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Or you could try an Osmanthus heterophyllus - a variegated holly like slow growing evergreen - quite unusual. Sometimes has a pinkish tint to the variegation in the winter.
    I'm only just clipping mine lightly this year to keep it neat after 4-5 years.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • RaspberryKillerRaspberryKiller Posts: 156
    Good suggestions - really like the Osmanthus burkwoodii and Potentila :)
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    damn, CFC I was going to suggest that!!!
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