South facing containers

Kez1980 · February 2016

Hi everyone help/advice needed I have 2 stone planters in my garden that are south facing and full exposure.I currently have two pieris and they aren't doing very well id say they've been in over a year.They are looking twiggy and leaves are brown I've also noticed in the summer months when I watered the plants the soil never seemed to soak up it just looked very dry I want to know what plant or flower should I put in the containers I'd say they was about 50cm across and about the same depth thanks in advance

Dave Morgan · February 2016

What have you put in the containers Kez? MPC or something else?

Kez1980 · February 2016

Thanks for this I'm not sure what soil I used but I'm thinking I will take the pieris out and re plant in another location what plants/flowers would anyone suggest instead? I always go for evergreens but I want something that flowers and lasts other than that I was going to put a seasonal flower in them such as pansies

Kez1980 · February 2016

I remember back in the summer I was watering the pieris and the water came through the bottom of planter but never looked like the soil actually soaked the water up it just looked dry all the time

Fairygirl · February 2016

Hard to keep them moist enough in a container in that aspect Kez, which is also why the water's running through. Once they dry out you have to immerse them for a good while to get the compost thoroughly dampened.

Hebes would be happy in that aspect and are pretty straightforward - evergreen and have flowers. There are lots of varieties.

Or - if you want something colourful, why not try a few bright annuals you could sow from seed yourself?

Kez1980 · February 2016

Thank you I will check out the ideas mentioned fingers crossed what ever I decide on does well ????????????

Kez1980 · February 2016

Wow thanks for that looking in my books to see what they are all like ????????????????

Busy-Lizzie · February 2016

I have pots in full sun in SW France where it can get very hot in summer. They need watering every day or two days. If the compost dries out it's very difficult to re-hydrate it. In late May, early June, I plant summer annuals in them, such as petunias, verbena, diascia, rudbeckia, zinnia "Profusion", million bells and pelargoniums. In autumn I remove them and plant pansies, violas, wallflowers and bellis daisies. They flower well in spring. I feed them with long life fertiliser.

Here are a couple of photos.

South facing containers

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