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Container garden - help please!

FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
in Garden design
Hi! Decided to do a big edit of my patio garden.

I have some raised beds Which are choc a block full but I've never quite got the potted plants in my garden right.

I'm taking montys advice and going for fewer but bigger pots. 

So I'm wondering what people would say are the best things to put in pots? 
Of what I currently have I'm keeping the following.. 

Bush roses x 4
An acer
3 camellias 
A fatsia
A fan palm

Any suggestions welcome! I'm after imact! 

Thanks so much! 


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Posts

  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Dahlias!


  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Wow they are beautiful! Do you overwinter dahlias? I've never thought of them... 
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I garden mainly in pots and the only thing I would avoid are climbers they never seem happy, I have tried honeysuckle, jasmine and clematis and they have all struggled. Otherwise it’s a case of biggest pot you can afford and the right soil and a good regime of feeding and watering and the sky is the limit! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In my experience, Camellias and Fatsias are very difficult to keep in pots long term.
    Many climbers are difficult as @debs64 says, but there are lots of clematis which are fine.
    If you take a look at the specialist sites [Taylors, Hawthornes and Thorncroft] you'll see plenty of suitable ones there. The types which  like a freer draining soil are best.

    The secret with successful container gardening is to group pots together well, but also to have seasonal colour. You can plant up plastic pots to drop into big, fancier ones. That way, you can have bulbs for winter into spring, evergreen, architectural plants for winter, and annuals etc for summer. Add a few things with autumn colour in the foliage, and you'll have something to look at all year round.  :)
    Getting the right medium for long term planting to grow in is also key. Not just compost for those.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • lilysillylilysilly Posts: 511
    Lovely display @debs64. What rose is that please in the wooden barrel? It's very pretty.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Thank you Lily, it’s Eustacia Vye from David Austin. Smells gorgeous too.
    Fairygirl is absolutely right I did have one clematis in a pot which did well but it was specifically for pots I would go for shrubs instead if you want height. My roses are in half barrels and do very well. I even grew a silver birch tree for 5 years in a half barrel but eventually gave it to someone with the space to appreciate it. 
    Feed and water appropriately and beware the dreaded vine weevil! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It also helps to have some idea of coherence with the planting.  :)
    That can be colour, foliage shapes, contrasting heights etc. Pot choice is also important.
    You can also alter pot heights easily by raising them on bricks etc, which can make a big difference. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Ffoxglove said:
    Wow they are beautiful! Do you overwinter dahlias? I've never thought of them... 
    I lifted the tubers and stored them in dry compost, keeping them in the car port so cold but above freezing.

    They'll be getting resurrected shortly so hopefully they have all survived.
  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Thanks everyone! I love that rose debs64...
    Fairy girl you have given me some ideas too... I don't think I do enough with annuals to liven up my garden. 
    I'm going to start with the big stuff and work down... Hoping my camellias will be OK in pots for a bit... They're quite small at the moment
    I'll post pictures when I've an update 
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