Plants for containers
Last post 08-04-2007 6:47 AM by belle. 6 replies.
-
09/08/2006 09:09 AM
|
|
- coxy
- Northamptonshire
- 09 Aug 2006
-
4
|
Hi, ive recently acquired a large wooden pot and want to plant something in it, is it worth buying some summer bedding plants for it now, or should i think of something else. I want something that wont cost the earth and doesnt grow too tall.
Any advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Coxy
|
-
|
09/08/2006 10:19 AM
|
|
- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
-
5,200
|
When it comes to pots the choice is endless on what you can put in there. Over the last few years our summers seem to be ending in October so if you did get some bedding plants for it you will have a colouirful display for another couple of months.
You could try putting a small shrub in the centre with a few spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffs, iris) around the outside, with the summer bedding on top which can be pulled out later on. You could use pansies as ones bought now will flower throughout the winter. I planted one up six years ago with lavender in the middle and tulips around the outside, once the tulips are finished the lavender comes into flower.
|
-
|
09/08/2006 10:39 AM
|
|
- coxy
- Northamptonshire
- 09 Aug 2006
-
4
|
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the message, ive had a look at the Thompson and Morgan site for a shrub and they recommend quite a few, but the ones i like most are:
Acer Palmatum
Phormium Rainbow Maiden or Platts Black
Cordyline Chocolate Queen
Grass Pennisetum setaceum robrum red fountain grass.
Its difficult to decide now which is the best!
Thinking about it, id like a dramatic plant, so i suppose the platts black would be best.
|
-
|
09/08/2006 10:49 AM
|
|
- diyman66
- 23 Jun 2006
-
25
|
Hi Coxy, Just a little tip should you decide to plant the Acer Palmatum. These tree's dont like strong winds so be sure to place in a protected area when high winds are present. Also, plant with ericacous compost, which may influence you with regards to planting companions, Ericas' (heathers) may be a good choice, Dicentra, azalea, ect will also suit the acidic conditions. If the A.Palmatum is a red variety, remember it will need some sun to produce the red pigmentation, the green ones will happily live in the shade.
Dean
|
-
|
09/08/2006 11:45 AM
|
|
- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
-
2,977
|
I really like the combination of purple-leaved Heuchera, Gaillardia ('Dazzler' is really intense, in shades of orange and yellow) with a fine grass of some sort. Stipa tenuissima (pony tail grass) or Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' (Chinese fountain grass). You get warm colours from the flowers and foliage, movement from the grass and they're all fairly tough and easy to grow.
|
-
|
23/08/2006 07:54 PM
|
|
|
Hi Coxy. A word of warning if you're thinking of a Phormium for your pot - check the spread and height of the mature plant. The one I inherited is 10ft tall by 5ft wide!
I use B & Q and Homebase for my plants, as well as my local garden centre. They're very reasonable and sometimes, at the end of a season , you can pick up bargains - I got a honeysuckle and a clematis for £5 the pair. both are doing nicely.
Happy gardening,
Lesley Smith
|
-
|
08/04/2007 06:47 AM
|
|
- belle
- 27 Jan 2007
-
6
|
Hi cOXY
2 SUGGESTIONS IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT A PHORMIUM
TRY "JESTER" DO YOU GET IT IN THE UK ? iT DOESN'T OVERPOWER A CONTAINER THE COLOUR IS GREEN AND A SORT OF PINKY RED.
tHE OTHER SUGGESTION IF YOU CAN FIND IT IN THE UK IS "aCACIA COGNATA' HERE IN NZ IT HAS THE NAME OF ACACIA LIMELIGHT GREAT LITTLE SHRUB WITH FINE CUT FOLIAGE GROWS QUITE QUICKLY DOES NOT LIKE BEING HOSED SIRECTLY OTO FOLIAGE IF ANYTHING LIKES IT REASONABLY DRY HAVE A LOOK ON GOOGLE IMAGES IT IS GREAT IN A POT ON A PATIO
cHEERS
bELLE
|