Cd someone recommend a shrub for patio?

Hi everyone

Just visited my aunty's and as usual her garden looks beautiful - in particular her patio crammed with spectacular flowers and shrubs!

As I'd like the same, could someone recommend an evergreen flowering shrub for the patio, that would grow quite large (3-4 ft?) in a big container?

Please no hydrangeas, rhodendrons, anything needing acidic soil, as these plants don't seem to thrive in my garden, and I don't want to have to put acidifier pellets down.

And I have roses.

Any recommendations gratefully received.

 

Hi debbietook,

How about Hebes? There are many different kinds from huge to tiny, and flowering at different times.

Then there are the Lavenders, Rosemary and Thymes.

Also the evergreen Ceanothus.

For the 'wow' factor go for something like a Dahlia or Brugmansia in a pot.

 

If rhodies camellias etc don't thrive in your garden a container would be the perfect medium to grow them in if you use peat based compost. I wouldn't put ordinary garden soil in a container. Container plants need a bit more looking after so you need good compost. I have terrible garden soil even after twenty odd years of improving but I have a load of shrubs in huge containers filled with compost to plant round my pond(another story) when I get it back. They are so healthy and lush compared to the ones in the garden

 

I vote for Lavender or Rosemary too...but I have a Sarracocca (Christmas Box) growing in a pot on the patio as well. It's evergreen and blooms in January with heavenly scent. It also grows slowly so it's ideal for a pot.

Now I'm warming up! Hostas are ideal for pots, although they aren't evergreen but I think they more than make up for it in Spring and Summer with their stunning foliage. You can hide the pots somewhere over winter as they die away to nothing then. I also have a Contorted Hazel in a pot; grows slowly, forms lovely shapes and looks amazing in the winter sun, with frost on it's weird, twisted branches. Mine is just outside the back door and while not evergreen, the branches look even better bare, I think.

 

Many thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

It occurred to me that soil shouldn't be a problem, as can use compost in a pot, but had been put off due to a camellia not thriving (something to do with not watering enough according to mother-in-law!).

But many thanks for the reminder.

I have lots of lavender and rosemary anyway, but could buy more..and have a magnolia in a pot by the greenhouse that could move to patio.

And will be looking for 'hebes'.

Thank you everyone! Suggestions much appreciated.