@mitchell.jamiers2luPHP Perhaps a visit to a very good Garden Centre might be helpful. There are plenty of plants in the colours you suggest but will they look right together and will they be happy in a challenging aspect. You could group some plants together whilst you are there and see what you like. With some plant names I am sure more advice will be offered. It might involve a couple of visits but you don't want another costly mistake. Many plants have suffered as a result of last winters weather and cold drying winds together with plants in pots that can be a challeng
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
The pots are very small for keeping shrubs in long term. They'd need to be much bigger in every direction. I don't think there's many evergreens which come in four different colours. Sorry. Hebes would probably be the best bet, especially if it's sunny, but there are hundreds of varieties, and it would be a case of picking four with a similar habit, to get the best effect. Some are very small, and are more ground covering in habit, and some get big and are floppier. The ones with red/plum foliage might be better.
Acers wouldn't generally need protection if they were the right ones, and were mature, but a windier, exposed site isn't ideal for any of them as they're woodland edge plants, and need some protection from rough weather and hot sun. Not the right plant for the site. Damp, slightly shaded is what they like
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Personal choice but I don't think you will achieve a natural look by planting four bright colours together. In a garden without the addition of green it will look 'manufactured' and to my eye wrong. There is a garden near to me that is terraced and has heucheras planted in a row all different colours. There is gravel/ brick and it looks false to the point of ridiculous. I don't think there are plants to fit your requests manybe mother nature says' no' Houttinya is deciduous. Green dominates for a reason it is the best back drop for bright colours
Hi GardenerSuze,
The lawn itself is green so it will have a green backdrop. Also, the pots are fairly spaced out so it wouldn't be four bright colours together. I'm hoping it will still have a natural feel but with a hint of colour.
However, I came here looking for advice on suitable plants rather than hearing people's personal preference regarding taste.
Nandina is evergreen in my garden and I have 2 colours; lime and red, it comes in others. But whether you can tolerate the colour variations throughout the year and whether 4 different varieties will grow at the same rate is not something I can judge.
Hi Tack,
Thank you very much for this idea. It's a pretty plant. I'll seriously consider it!
A completely different suggestion (please feel free to ignore it) but had you considered different coloured ornamental grasses … some are evergreen, like the sun and would be ok in a container with the right soil and treatment, and carefully selected could provide you with a degree of formality that I think you’re looking for, with variations of colour.
I don’t see this as a matter of that rather invidious term ‘taste’ …
You don't, but I do. You like the word "woke", I don't.
Warning on repeats of: “Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads”
"This programme reflects the standards, language and attitudes of its time, some viewers may find the content offending."
Hi bédé,
Seriously? The world's gone mad. What's not to like about the Likely Lads?
I reckon even the TV programmes being made in today's woke world will have warnings slapped on them in 50 years' time, because someone will be eating a ham sandwich, or a character addresses another character as "Mr Smith" rather than using a gender neutral pronoun.
I think all generations are offended by those before for not being PC enough, and by those after for taking woke-ness too far.
What important is that we know that OUR generation is actually right!
@mitchell.jamiers2luPHP Perhaps a visit to a very good Garden Centre might be helpful. There are plenty of plants in the colours you suggest but will they look right together and will they be happy in a challenging aspect. You could group some plants together whilst you are there and see what you like. With some plant names I am sure more advice will be offered. It might involve a couple of visits but you don't want another costly mistake. Many plants have suffered as a result of last winters weather and cold drying winds together with plants in pots that can be a challeng
Hi,
I think you're right. I went with my wife and mother-in-law to a smallish garden centre to get an idea of possible replacements for the acers, but the selection was limited so I came to the forum. The replies from everyone here have been incredibly helpful. Thank you!
The pots are very small for keeping shrubs in long term. They'd need to be much bigger in every direction. I don't think there's many evergreens which come in four different colours. Sorry. Hebes would probably be the best bet, especially if it's sunny, but there are hundreds of varieties, and it would be a case of picking four with a similar habit, to get the best effect. Some are very small, and are more ground covering in habit, and some get big and are floppier. The ones with red/plum foliage might be better.
Acers wouldn't generally need protection if they were the right ones, and were mature, but a windier, exposed site isn't ideal for any of them as they're woodland edge plants, and need some protection from rough weather and hot sun. Not the right plant for the site. Damp, slightly shaded is what they like
Thank you. I can always buy bigger pots! Thanks for the hebes suggestion - much appreciated.
A completely different suggestion (please feel free to ignore it) but had you considered different coloured ornamental grasses … some are evergreen, like the sun and would be ok in a container with the right soil and treatment, and carefully selected could provide you with a degree of formality that I think you’re looking for, with variations of colour.
We had an ornamental grass in our back garden. It was a really pretty blue colour and looked amazing. However, for some reason it stopped growing in a tall, elegant way, and became an ugly clump on the ground. In the end, we dug it up. We've dismissed grasses for this reason, but would be open to reconsidering them if we could get advice on ones that wouldn't do this, and would remain pretty and tall.
Posts
I don't think there's many evergreens which come in four different colours. Sorry.
Hebes would probably be the best bet, especially if it's sunny, but there are hundreds of varieties, and it would be a case of picking four with a similar habit, to get the best effect. Some are very small, and are more ground covering in habit, and some get big and are floppier. The ones with red/plum foliage might be better.
Acers wouldn't generally need protection if they were the right ones, and were mature, but a windier, exposed site isn't ideal for any of them as they're woodland edge plants, and need some protection from rough weather and hot sun. Not the right plant for the site. Damp, slightly shaded is what they like
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The lawn itself is green so it will have a green backdrop. Also, the pots are fairly spaced out so it wouldn't be four bright colours together. I'm hoping it will still have a natural feel but with a hint of colour.
However, I came here looking for advice on suitable plants rather than hearing people's personal preference regarding taste.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Best wishes,
Jamie
Thank you very much for this idea. It's a pretty plant. I'll seriously consider it!
Best wishes,
Jamie
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/20-of-the-best-ornamental-grasses/
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Seriously? The world's gone mad. What's not to like about the Likely Lads?
I reckon even the TV programmes being made in today's woke world will have warnings slapped on them in 50 years' time, because someone will be eating a ham sandwich, or a character addresses another character as "Mr Smith" rather than using a gender neutral pronoun.
I think all generations are offended by those before for not being PC enough, and by those after for taking woke-ness too far.
What important is that we know that OUR generation is actually right!
Sorry for the delay in coming back here. Hopefully you've got some more ideas for me now that I've given you more info.
Best wishes,
Jamie
I think you're right. I went with my wife and mother-in-law to a smallish garden centre to get an idea of possible replacements for the acers, but the selection was limited so I came to the forum. The replies from everyone here have been incredibly helpful. Thank you!
We had an ornamental grass in our back garden. It was a really pretty blue colour and looked amazing. However, for some reason it stopped growing in a tall, elegant way, and became an ugly clump on the ground. In the end, we dug it up. We've dismissed grasses for this reason, but would be open to reconsidering them if we could get advice on ones that wouldn't do this, and would remain pretty and tall.
It's a good idea - thank you!
J