Good point @Fairygirl, I hadn't noticed the post that said 30 - 38 cms. If the pots were in a row then 25cms pots would fit, which isn't very big. They would need small, neat plants and a lot of watering in summer, especially if terracotta.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I can extend the length or reduce the number or pots so would like to stick with the 30 to 38 cm size. I didnr realise terracotta would need more frequent watering. I thought it was best for allowing 'breathing'Should they be glazed?
The pots in the photo look nice. I would choose something like those with the bases that are as wide as the tops, nice and are very stable with no chance of them blowing over in any high winds. Not that you are going that high with plants. No sail effects.
I think terracotta looks nicer, they also protect the roots of the plants better than thin plastics in the winter. Though there are other material options available.
If they are more permanent plantings then I would rather water a bit more in good weather and not have them rot away over winter. That is where choosing the plants carefully comes in I guess
I think you might be asking for a lot, wanting a long spell of colour plus evergreen . If the position is shady, you might consider Sarcococca. Evergreen, small white heavily perfumed flowers in late winter and black berries in the Autumn. https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/content.cfm?ref=Sarcococca+-+Growing+Guide
You might consider maybe planting evergreens in a couple of pots and then ringing the changes through the year with the remaining ones perhaps.
It occurs to me having had a quick look at my book, that I could think about annuals for each of the seasons. Bedding plants? Would it be feasable to change the pot contents on a 3 season basis? Bedding plants seem to be small which would solve the size problem and keep them from overflowing the pots. I appreciate it would be more expensive.
@AnniD, the position is shaded for half the morning and in full sun for the remainder of the day. It is exposed except for the sloping low wall of the wheelchair ramp so prone to the wind. I thought that using pots would enable access to the back of plants and I suppose it would be possible if we ever did get a bad winter down here, they could be placed in a less exposed place temporarily.
I would probably go for winter flowering heathers which are in the garden centres just now. They come in various red, white or pink shades so you could have all one colour or a colour mix.
Unfortunately though, if your area fronts a public path, there is a risk of them being stolen especially if you buy nice pots for them so something to bear in mind. It might be possible, if a bit fiddly to fit some wire through the bottom of the pots and tie them to the bottom of the ramp as a deterrent perhaps?
Also, you could have less, bigger pots, or one big tub, so that no one could steal it. Then you would find it hard to move if you needed to of course.
Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.
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My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
I would choose something like those with the bases that are as wide as the tops, nice and are very stable with no chance of them blowing over in any high winds. Not that you are going that high with plants. No sail effects.
I think terracotta looks nicer, they also protect the roots of the plants better than thin plastics in the winter. Though there are other material options available.
If they are more permanent plantings then I would rather water a bit more in good weather and not have them rot away over winter.
That is where choosing the plants carefully comes in I guess
My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
If the position is shady, you might consider Sarcococca. Evergreen, small white heavily perfumed flowers in late winter and black berries in the Autumn.
https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/content.cfm?ref=Sarcococca+-+Growing+Guide
You might consider maybe planting evergreens in a couple of pots and then ringing the changes through the year with the remaining ones perhaps.
My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!