Phormiums will tolerate pots and shade, plus they are evergreen. I'd choose one of the green and white or green and yellow variegated varieties which will also brighten up the garden in winter.
Heuchera Rex varieties have larger leaves and some fabulous foliage colours, flowers are more impactful than some other Heuchera but still fairly subtle
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
Phormiums are ideal, as @Plantminded says, and although they flower - quite spectacularly, it's not a regular event, and the big stems can be removed if the person doesn't want them Plenty of good suggestions, and I'd add Osmanthus to that. I grow O. burkwoodii, and although it does flower, the flowers are small and it's late winter/early spring flowering, so that may make a difference. Growth will be more restricted in a container too, which can affect the flowering time, and the length of it. I have lots of greenery in my garden @WildFlower_UK , rather than loads and loads of flowery perennials, as that suits my conditions far better. I don't want to look at bare ground for months on end. Those comments are best ignored - or use the ignore button itself The evergreen ferns are certainly good - Asplenium scolopendrium is very useful for a damp shady spot, so should be ok in a pot if the soil's right. Might be tricky if the person is in a dry area though, especially if they get those hosepipe bans.
Following on from that, the only thing I'd ask @TheGardenerFromMars is - does the person know that container plants, especially shrubs/trees, need a lot more work - in terms of ongoing care, than in the ground?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@TheGardenerFromMars When you work in different gardeners you soon find out which of your clients will follow your advice when it comes to watering. A friend who is a landscape gardener laid a lawn and gave advice regarding watering. Called back a month later the grass was dead.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Some heuchera get pretty large and have a tropical vibe, and the flowers aren't intrusive.
I love the leaves on Heuchera but am not a huge fan of the deep pink flowers that some have. I love Heuchera Lime marmalade with the white flowers.
Escallonia with yellow leaves and pink flowers is another pet hate. Below is Escallonia laevis Golden Ellen. I love the leaves. Love the flowers. Just not together!
Yes @Fairygirl, my well established Phormium in the ground flowers annually but the younger ones and the one in a container never have. As you say, if the person doesn't like the flowers they can easily be removed. The tropical look of the flowers may find favour though!
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East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
Plenty of good suggestions, and I'd add Osmanthus to that. I grow O. burkwoodii, and although it does flower, the flowers are small and it's late winter/early spring flowering, so that may make a difference. Growth will be more restricted in a container too, which can affect the flowering time, and the length of it.
I have lots of greenery in my garden @WildFlower_UK , rather than loads and loads of flowery perennials, as that suits my conditions far better. I don't want to look at bare ground for months on end. Those comments are best ignored - or use the ignore button itself
The evergreen ferns are certainly good - Asplenium scolopendrium is very useful for a damp shady spot, so should be ok in a pot if the soil's right. Might be tricky if the person is in a dry area though, especially if they get those hosepipe bans.
Following on from that, the only thing I'd ask @TheGardenerFromMars is - does the person know that container plants, especially shrubs/trees, need a lot more work - in terms of ongoing care, than in the ground?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
A friend who is a landscape gardener laid a lawn and gave advice regarding watering.
Called back a month later the grass was dead.
I love Heuchera Lime marmalade with the white flowers.
Escallonia with yellow leaves and pink flowers is another pet hate.
Below is Escallonia laevis Golden Ellen.
I love the leaves.
Love the flowers.
Just not together!
https://www.google.com/search?q=+uk+jungle+gardens+&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwj4sN2yzav-AhVvpycCHUJfDSUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=+uk+jungle+gardens+&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjoFCAAQgARQ9QNYxCFgsDJoAXAAeACAAXiIAf8EkgEDMi40mAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=i3I6ZLi_N-_OnsEPwr61qAI&bih=595&biw=1280&client=firefox-b-d