That looks really good, your friends have done a great job! I see it is well lined and you have mentioned it has a drainage hole so it will be fine for planting up. (I'd put something underneath it as well just to raise it above ground level to ensure good drainage.) There's some good options in @AnniD 's link if you'd like a fruit tree. Otherwise, perhaps an evergreen shrub like a variegated Phormium, or something like this with big leaves: Fatsia polycarpa 'Green Fingers' - Big Plant Nursery It would go well with your Yucca nearby. I've got one in a border - it is evergreen and very architectural, if that's what you like! Hope this helps.
Do you want flowers or does that not matter? If so, plenty of clematis will be fine in there. The smaller ones which don't require so much watering would be ideal. You'd need good supports for them though. Some ornamental grasses would be fine too, if you like those. Foliage plants would be ideal - the ones @Plantminded has suggested are good, but most Fatsias do best with some shade. Libertias would be fine, as they like sun. I wouldn't have an Acer in it unless you move it somewhere more shaded. Morning sun isn't good for them especially after any frosts, and hot midday sun is even worse.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@debs64 I have a young purple acer and wondered about transplanting it across but I think it settled where it is. I do like your rose though and I love the way you've filled it out with plants around it. Thank you!
@Plantminded That yucca of mine is actually over 20 years old and from an old off cut section of my long gone uncle's original plant. I trim off dead leaves every year but more than usual last year because they had lots of brown spots on them. Its special and has a life of its own. The roots are escaping and I'll need to solve that connundrum this year.
Thank you for those recommendations. I quite like the look of both the phormium and the fatsia. Defintely ones to think about. They look big enough to make a statement!
@Fairygirl Thanks to you too. Libertias are a new one on me. I do like them also. I didn't consider flowering at all but yes, I think flowers would be a great addition to that corner of the garden. It is quite green over there. I usually have a couple of pots of geraniums which do really well. I had a hydrangea a few feet to the right but I swear I used to hear it crying from the heat every day last summer. I know they're supposed to recover from their leaves wilting but can't be pleasant! I wouldn't bloody like it
It often just comes down to what you like @gerrigjt02RQb, and then it's a case of picking something that suits the conditions. If you don't have to keep it in the sun, there are plenty of alternatives too Yes - hot sun for hydrangeas is rarely good. They can cope in a sunnier site if you get lots of duller days and plenty of rain, and the ground doesn't dry put too readily, but it's mainly the oak leaf ones which can cope better with sun.
The gold Libertias are nicer than the green ones
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl thanks for the information about acers mine has been struggling I will move it in the spring , it’s in a pot but gets lots of sun. I have a shady spot in mind.
I have several Acers in pots and in the ground. A lot depends on the cultivar, one Bloodgood, in theory the worst spot in a pot right by the S facing kitchen door is doing fine never goes brown at the leaf tips.
The reds can certainly take more sun @Allotment Boy, and often have their best colour with it, but I wouldn't recommend an Acer in that aspect for a novice gardener. Bloodgood is certainly a very easy Acer though - which is why every supermarket and retail outlet sells it
However, it would need to be a big specimen for that barrel [pricey] - or else a small one which was potted on until big enough.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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If so, plenty of clematis will be fine in there. The smaller ones which don't require so much watering would be ideal. You'd need good supports for them though.
Some ornamental grasses would be fine too, if you like those.
Foliage plants would be ideal - the ones @Plantminded has suggested are good, but most Fatsias do best with some shade. Libertias would be fine, as they like sun.
I wouldn't have an Acer in it unless you move it somewhere more shaded. Morning sun isn't good for them especially after any frosts, and hot midday sun is even worse.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes - hot sun for hydrangeas is rarely good. They can cope in a sunnier site if you get lots of duller days and plenty of rain, and the ground doesn't dry put too readily, but it's mainly the oak leaf ones which can cope better with sun.
The gold Libertias are nicer than the green ones
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Bloodgood is certainly a very easy Acer though - which is why every supermarket and retail outlet sells it
However, it would need to be a big specimen for that barrel [pricey] - or else a small one which was potted on until big enough.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...