Planters/Pots

Hi all

First post, so please be kind. Hoping it won’t be my last. After some guidance for potted plants, what to do etc.

So I have a wall space, window ledges in the photo below that I’d love to brighten up with lots of colour and prettiness. Can anyone provide some suggestions as to what might work well. The area is east facing and gets the sun from early morning until just after mid day. It can get rather warm in summer.

I’m aware now may not be the time but just after some guidance in the build up to spring and summer.

Scott

 

Hello Scott,
Welcome to the forum! I grow lots of things in pots because they really make gardening a forgiving hobby. If you have something in a pot that is not doing well where it is situated, you simply move it somewhere else!

Judging by the picture, I can safely assume you aren't anywhere near me and we would have entirely different growing conditions.

I can tell you that there are lots of plants that like it hot but you will have to be sure to keep things watered. No once a week deal like indoor plants. My pots all get watered pretty much every day during the hot summer.

Again, welcome. I'm sure someone will come along and give you appropriate advice - oh, and you might want to access your profile and put your location in. It will help members narrow down suggestions to fit with your needs.

cheers
Lori

 

Thanks Lori, apologies I’m from Wales, Uk.

 

Hi @Scotty2088 ,



Welcome to Gardeners Corner

I do all my gardening in pots/containers as I only have a small gravelled courtyard garden ( my moms ) to work with.

I think if it was me, being my first year I would go for something simple to start with. I presume you are planning on windows boxes or troughs attached to the window ledges ? If so for this year I would go for trailing Pelargoniums. J, Parkers are currently selling collections of these for around £10, . If you look on the internet for Alpine Pelargoniums you'll see how they grow.

Edit......

I've found my catalogue now.....

They're called Rainbow Trailing Geraniums and they're 6 for £9.99 or 18 for £19.98.

They also sell normal trailing geraniums as well, these are called
Trailing Ivy Leaf Geraniums , these are 6 for £9.99 or 24 for £19.98.

The Rainbow type are more compact with loads more flowers.

 

Great, thanks so much for your reply. I’ve googled the rainbow trailing geraniums and they would absolutely do the job. What about plant pots for the floor. I’m thinking a couple trough shaped ones.

Also at what time should I start to look to plant etc

 

Hi scott, when the time comes, there is a method used called Thriller, filler, spiller when making a container or trough. Thriller is the star of the show, big and colourful or the thing that draws the eye to the container, fillers are just that, they provide a contrast to the star, and fill the gaps, the spiller is the plant that gives the container symmetry, and a pleasing look.



You can use colouful bedding for summer, or you can use evergreen perennials for all year round colour, dont think evergreen means boring it does not, in the picture below, is a planter I did for a dog charity to raffle off last year, this picture is just after I planted it, the thriller is a Cordyline red star, the fillers are Heuchera Hollywood a marbled leaf with coral red flowers throughout summer, and two Heuchera Delta Dawn at the rear, the H Hollywood complements the Cordyline and the Delta Dawn provides a lighter colour that will help intensify the dark colours which is echoed in the white container, the spillers at each corner are a perennial Viola that have a purple and pale blue flower that will flow over the side giving a waterful effect. Use thriller, filler and spiller, you are only limited by your plant and colour choice.

 

Wow, another great reply and some really valuable information. Thank you so much.

one question though, when is the right time to start?

 

If you are going perennial, I would start soon, I know in places in South Wales have sodden soil, so let it drain properly, you are just over the bridge from me, and unless your up in the valleys, I would plan the planting up, for a couple of weeks time, you want a nice week when the ground is not frozen.
Dont over plant, leave a bit of space for the plants to grow. If you are planning summer bedding, I would plant up end of April, beginning of May, when theres no chance of a heavy frost.