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Planters along edge of raised patio

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's difficult to say. It's pretty indestructible, but it would still need regular watering when it isn't in the ground. All plants do.
    If you aren't there to water it yourself, you'd need some form of watering system. You can't rely on rainfall alone, especially in hotter weather  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • yes, true. Food for thought, thank you !
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Anything in a container is reliant on you for it's care, especially shrubs/trees/hedging. It's completely different from when they're in the ground and can access food and moisture more easily  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
     This Euonymus can be clipped to keep it's shape and is slow growing. Have you considered the pots and what they will look like so that everything ties in. If you  purchase pots  go as large as you can afford One large pot can look stunning, less watering as it won't dry out so quickly. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited January 2022
    @LauraEllen has already ordered wooden planters/troughs   :)

    They will also need to be plastic lined to help preserve the wood, and prevent rotting too quickly. That's the main problem with timber containers, and the lining helps enormously. Lots of holes needed in the bottom for drainage though. The prep is as important as the planting  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    @LauraEllen If you want 40-50cm high, with minimal pruning, then I would not use Lonicera nitida, it grows too fast.  Euonymus Green Spire needs minimal pruning, and has a much more attractive deep green foliage. It has a naturally columnar habit, so it won't grow out at the sides too much.

  • Thanks for the comments

    @GardenerSuze I have ordered x5 1m troughs - 40cm h and 40cm deep. They are big so hoping they will work. 

    @Fairygirl yes I have asked for liners and they come with slats to allow plants to be raised and for drainage 

    @KeenOnGreen yes I wondered that about Lonicera being fast growing. The thing is that I am not keen on a variagated hedge plant is am not keen on the Euonymus - any other suggestions for a low hedge evergreen in a pot?!. Is rosemary a terrible idea?!

    :) 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In containers, Lonicera is slower growing than in the ground - like most shrubby plants  :)
    The Euonymous @KeenOnGreen mentions isn't variegated, like most of the others. It's plain.  :)
    Hebes are a good substitute for box as well. H. buxifolia for example. Clue's in the title  ;) There are other varieties that have small, evergreen foliage. Flowers as well on most of them. 
    There's no reason why you can't have rosemary if that's what you like, but you need to be sure you can give it what it needs. All container plants are reliant on you, and that applies to those which like drier, poorer soil too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I would plant a plain green hedge whatever you do. That way your colourful pots will look smart against the green. Green needs to dominate. Think you need to look on line for the various green euonymus plants available. I purchased six plants of Green Spire last week for £13.00 they are only small plants you may have to pay the same for one larger plant .You could fill gaps with annual bedding until they grow but don't block out the light to your new hedging plants. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    One last thought it might be a good idea to buy one or two extra hedging plants you could use them as an evergreen foil for your pot displays. You will also have a back up if one dies in the wooden troughs .Good Luck
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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