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Pot inspiration needed

LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
in Garden design
What would you put in this? I used to have Muehlenbeckia sort of cascading out of it which looked OK but I want to change it. I really really like it which is stopping me just shoving any old thing in but seems to be causing some thought paralysis. Also it's pretty shallow - approx 13cm deep, 36cm diameter. Don't say succulents! I have a lot of shallow pots and bowls full of Sempervivum etc already. 
Any ideas? 


'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
- Cicero
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Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Three different varieties of thyme perhaps, or Erodium is worth considering (many varieties).
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited May 2023
    I had a fern in one a similar shape but it died this winter. Will be really interested to see suggestions or else I'll put another fern in it.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    A pretty saxifraga or three? With such a shallow pot Saxigragas would be tolerant if the pot is on the dry side. Pink flowers and terracotta is a lovely combination especially if the plant tumbles over the edge.
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I would say violas, I have some black ones grown from seed in a similar pot. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In your location, I'd go for something as reliable as those succulents- maybe those Erigerons?
    @Plantminded's suggestion of thyme is a very good one too. 
    Hard to keep anything that needs lots of moisture in a shallow container, especially terracotta, and in a dry part of the country.

    I used to have cyclamen in one for autumn, so that might be an idea for later on if you can site it somewhere suitable. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It's quite a chunky pot so I think I want something a bit beefier - I have little saxifrages in various other (smaller) pots but I wonder if London Pride might be a good idea, with its chunkier leaves (it's a favourite but I don't have any in pots). Violas is an interesting idea too @debs64 - I don't have any except early dog violets all over the borders. I would go for Erigeron karvinskianus @Fairygirl except I have them all over the place already! Might be nice in combination with something else though. Ditto thyme. Am now wondering about (another) hardy geranium, perhaps. Keep the ideas coming, and thanks 🙂

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have L. Pride in lots of places @LG_, sun/shade/wet/dry and also pots, but I remember you saying you couldn't grow it some places as it was too dry.
    That might be the same problem in that pot, although you could always line it with plastic, and use some hefty soil to counteract that, and maybe a saucer in those dry spells.  :)

    Dianthus would be another option.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
    What about hardy geraniums? They have shallow roots and would be ideal for that sized pot. I’ve just planted some in a pot, I’ve planted Geranium Punk Pouffe and Geranium Max Frei and they’re doing really well.
    South Devon 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    A bit late to find one this year, I suppose, but begonia golden embers would look good or an unfashionable dark leafed coleus or two.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I have saucers under all pots for about 9 months of the year, @Fairygirl ! Nothing would survive otherwise. 

    Actually, that's not quite true - sempervivums don't get saucers.

    The good thing about a pot is I can move it to the right level of shade - I wouldn't have it in sun for London Pride. I lost a lot last year (next door but one cut down an enormous bay tree, which meant that areas that hadn't seen sun for years suddenly got blasted!) but still have enough to filch some for a pot. 
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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