I meant to ask earlier but, is there a reason the plants have to be in pots? Is it a paved area? It's much easier to look after plants of any kind in the ground, especially shrubs, and if you want these as a screen or shelter belt, that's the way to do it. If it's all paved, then purpose built raised beds are far better for getting anything shrubbier to establish and thrive.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I meant to ask earlier but, is there a reason the plants have to be in pots? Is it a paved area? It's much easier to look after plants of any kind in the ground, especially shrubs, and if you want these as a screen or shelter belt, that's the way to do it. If it's all paved, then purpose built raised beds are far better for getting anything shrubbier to establish and thrive.
No particular reason other than that we have four really nice pots that previously housed our acers. The pots just sit on the lawn but aren’t essential. Thanks for the tip. J
Clumping bamboo? Evergreen leaves come in greens and/or yellows or creams, stems in reds, browns oranges, purples, blacks.. hardy, evergreen, beautiful, easy, and you can get dwarf/shorter ones as well as tall specimens. Easy to trim back or split when they get bigger too. What's not to like? 😃
Much easier to make a space by removing the turf, then prepping the soil and planting into that. I'm sure you could find a use for the pots. They aren't big enough for any shrubs long term, so you could use them for annuals or some food crops/herbs etc.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Clumping bamboo? Evergreen leaves come in greens and/or yellows or creams, stems in reds, browns oranges, purples, blacks.. hardy, evergreen, beautiful, easy, and you can get dwarf/shorter ones as well as tall specimens. Easy to trim back or split when they get bigger too. What's not to like? 😃
@mitchell.jamiers2luPHP I totally agree that personal taste can vary tremendously. I do have a trained 'eye' but would always consider a clients personal taste with plants.
Pot size/type of compost, loam based or ericaceous/watering needs/ feeding/aspect including microclimate/ top dressing and replacing compost in the future/approximate size of plant, normally two thirds height of the pot works well and looks right. This is all a good place to start. That is before you look at the plants themselves. So as you can imagine your request is complex. No one has been able to offer four plants that will work well and look right .
I haven't made a direct suggestion of any plants, that is for you to decide as you rightly say . I too have preferences, ultimately gardens should be green.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@mitchell.jamiers2luPHP I totally agree that personal taste can vary tremendously. I do have a trained 'eye' but would always consider a clients personal taste with plants.
Pot size/type of compost, loam based or ericaceous/watering needs/ feeding/aspect including microclimate/ top dressing and replacing compost in the future/approximate size of plant, normally two thirds height of the pot works well and looks right. This is all a good place to start. That is before you look at the plants themselves. So as you can imagine your request is complex. No one has been able to offer four plants that will work well and look right .
I haven't made a direct suggestion of any plants, that is for you to decide as you rightly say . I too have preferences, ultimately gardens should be green.
So I've had the following suggestions on this forum of plants that come in at least four colours...
Clumping bamboo? Evergreen leaves come in greens and/or yellows or creams, stems in reds, browns oranges, purples, blacks.. hardy, evergreen, beautiful, easy, and you can get dwarf/shorter ones as well as tall specimens. Easy to trim back or split when they get bigger too. What's not to like? 😃
Hi,
Some of the colours I've seen on Google look amazing. However, we've had a bad experience with this as our next door neighbours got some 'clumping' bamboo which has spread into our garden several times and it keeps coming back. I've also heard they have powerful roots that can break pots. Should I be worried about this? Are there any 'safe' varieties that won't cause problems?
@mitchell.jamiers2luPHP Hebes have flowers in shades of white/ pink and purple and have suffered this winter both in the ground and in pots.
Euonymous has variegated leaves whites creams and yellows or dark green, tough plants but this is the limit of colours.
Osmanthus won't give you the red you require. Again variegated.
Nandinia has white flowers, some forms have red leaves that turn green others are plain green
I have just been asked to remove a fargesia by a solicitor, as we are moving and I am happy to take it with me. It is a red stemmed one if you look very closely but only in the spring. Black Bamboo is not a clumper.
I grow a dozen ornamental grasses ,yes there is some colour but predominantly green. Some would need to be evergreen and some deciduous to get the limited colours required. Sedges are more often golden but need shade to do well.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
Is it a paved area?
It's much easier to look after plants of any kind in the ground, especially shrubs, and if you want these as a screen or shelter belt, that's the way to do it. If it's all paved, then purpose built raised beds are far better for getting anything shrubbier to establish and thrive.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Evergreen leaves come in greens and/or yellows or creams, stems in reds, browns oranges, purples, blacks.. hardy, evergreen, beautiful, easy, and you can get dwarf/shorter ones as well as tall specimens.
Easy to trim back or split when they get bigger too. What's not to like? 😃
I'm sure you could find a use for the pots. They aren't big enough for any shrubs long term, so you could use them for annuals or some food crops/herbs etc.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Pot size/type of compost, loam based or ericaceous/watering needs/ feeding/aspect including microclimate/ top dressing and replacing compost in the future/approximate size of plant, normally two thirds height of the pot works well and looks right. This is all a good place to start. That is before you look at the plants themselves. So as you can imagine your request is complex. No one has been able to offer four plants that will work well and look right .
I haven't made a direct suggestion of any plants, that is for you to decide as you rightly say . I too have preferences, ultimately gardens should be green.
Hebes
Euonymus fortunes
Osmanthus heterophyllus
Nandina
Clumping bamboo
Ornamental grasses
People have been incredibly helpful. Thanks again to those who have helped me compile this list.
I agree with gardens being predominantly green, but I find just green a bit boring, and prefer gardens to have flashes of colour within the green.
J
Some of the colours I've seen on Google look amazing. However, we've had a bad experience with this as our next door neighbours got some 'clumping' bamboo which has spread into our garden several times and it keeps coming back. I've also heard they have powerful roots that can break pots. Should I be worried about this? Are there any 'safe' varieties that won't cause problems?
Euonymous has variegated leaves whites creams and yellows or dark green, tough plants but this is the limit of colours.
Osmanthus won't give you the red you require. Again variegated.
Nandinia has white flowers, some forms have red leaves that turn green others are plain green
I have just been asked to remove a fargesia by a solicitor, as we are moving and I am happy to take it with me. It is a red stemmed one if you look very closely but only in the spring. Black Bamboo is not a clumper.
I grow a dozen ornamental grasses ,yes there is some colour but predominantly green. Some would need to be evergreen and some deciduous to get the limited colours required. Sedges are more often golden but need shade to do well.