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Planters advice

TraciefarleyTraciefarley Posts: 13
in Garden design
Hi my husband had recently tiled our patio and built two planters at the end. 

I’ve no idea what plants would work the best in them. 

I like palms and grasses etc but not sure if they would work? 

Any help would be appreciated. 

Thank you 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It largely depends on what you like, and what the conditions will be - ie your climate, and the aspect etc.
    I'm guessing it's quite sunny though. They don't look very big, so that's also a factor, as you don't want to be having to remove plants a few years down the line.
    You could certainly do grasses with perennials, which works very well. The 'daisies' which flower around this time of year and into autumn, work very well with grasses, and you could have a couple of earlier perennials with spring bulbs for some colour earlier in the year until those come through. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Can I ask what allowances for drainage there are … are there holes around the base? 
    You’ll need to incorporate some sort of drainage material at the base too, before filling with an appropriate compost for your plants … please don’t just use ordinary multi-purpose compost … it breaks down to dust  so quickly … it’s usually only suitable for short term planting. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I could see grass in the bottom @Dovefromabove, so I was assuming they were open at the bottom.  :)
    Certainly, a few holes drilled into the sides, just above the bottom, would be good. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TraciefarleyTraciefarley Posts: 13
    Hi yes open slightly at the bottom and also drainage at the sides. I will make sure I put gravel and the bottom and good soil.  

    Its south facing. We would like have somethings to help with
    privacy too. 


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Use mostly a decent soil and mix your grit through it. If you put a layer of gravel in the base, it can act as a sump in wet conditions.  :)
    It really comes down to your own preference and how much time you have for maintenance. 
    Some shrubs might manage - Escallonia for example, but the grasses and perennials I mentioned earlier will be nicer IMO. You could use something like Verbena bonariensis or V. lollipop too. I expect you could use one of those hardy palms [Trachycarpus]  but it would crowd out other planting very quickly. It would also depend on your climate as to how well it would thrive. 
    Heleniums work particularly well and there are lots of Miscanthus which might suit, but some plants will get too big for the size of those planters in a few  years. 
    Take a look at some of the specialists who sell grasses for ideas. They sell perennials as well, but there are hundreds of good nurseries who sell those. A local garden centre will also have plenty at this time of year
    https://www.knollgardens.co.uk/
    Others may have suggestions of suitable flowering plants to work with the grasses
    Veronicas, Lychnis coronaria, Crocosmia, Salvias, Asters  etc are all suitable. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TraciefarleyTraciefarley Posts: 13
    Thank you. 
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