Planter dilemma!!

I've recently bought a large wooden planter to use as a feature nearby my new patio. I'm now looking for something to plant in it but have no idea what!! Here is the criteria:

Its mostly in the shade
I want something that looks pretty in summer
Must be able to leave out over winter
Low maintenance

I've been looking mostly at small trees....please help!!

 

to GC @Debra

How wide is your wooden planter and how deep?
You say "mostly in the shade"; roughly how many hours of sunlight does the area get?

Answering those questions will go a long way in members recommending the right type of plants to meet your criteria

 

Planter is 18inch wide 16inch deep. It is in the shade all day I think, I've just moved house so this is will be my first summer here, I'm still unsure where the sunny spots will be in the height of summer. At the moment its completely shaded all but perhaps an inch early afternoon. Hope that helps a little!

 

A nicely shaped Acer perhaps with trailing ivy at its base?

 

Have a look at Fuchsia 'Mrs Popple'. It satisfies pretty much all your requirements; it's quite happy in a large container, doesn't mind being in the shade, it looks colourful through the summer and well into autumn and is quite hardy.
The only maintenance it needs is watering and an occasional feed in the summer and a good prune every spring.

Here's mine, in a post from last summer.

 

As Trunky said , I would plant bush and trailing fuschia ( the bush type grow straight up ) Plenty of choice in the nurseries and garden centres they should only cost £1.20 to £1.60 each. Maybe even a little Acer tree in the centre....

 

And Hostas. I love my Hostas and they are in the shade. I have 4 different ones and am just about to split them if you would like me to send you some x

 

I've been looking at Acres alot, I'm just so green (sorry for the pun) when it comes to plants. I really want to get it right, I usually play it safe with heathers/ferns etc. My last garden was in the sun all day so this shady planting is worrying me a bit. I do agree that I need more than one plant in there, just gotta decide...thank you for all of your advice so far, keep them coming!

 

Sorry, that should say Acers!

 

Which ones do you have Lynda?

 

Ah Debra, this where I fall down badly! I have no idea of names I am afraid. I have one green with cream stripes, one a bluey colour, another stripey one and I can't remember the fourth, it's about to push its first leaves through as we speak. I am hopeless with names and apologise for my idiocy, lol x

 

Oh and Japanese anenomes as well. I just bought some recently at a boot fair - I was told that they were for shade, could one of our bods more knowledgable than me ( so that's all of you then!) put us right if I've got that wrong, as I don't want to lead Debra astray spending money on something that should be in full sun!

 

Acers need to be protected from wind, is the site sheltered? The advantage of a small tree is that you have structure all year so if you get nice weather for sitting out in the winter Fuschias etc will have died back whereas an Acer is there all year even if leafless. Do you want year round interest?

 

Debra, whereabouts in the UK are you? The planter will be dependant on you for watering it for some months of the year. Are you in a hard-water area? Ie, do you need to descale your kettle on a regular basis? If so, then your acer will not be happy with your tap-water....

Some of the fuschias have quite a good shape, and if you wait until spring to cut back if necessary, you will still have some shape there. Personally, I would steer clear of Japanese anemones, tbh. They will either sulk, or completely dominate the planter. A variegated ivy around the base, maybe a hosta or two, and of course, some spring bulbs slipped in at the appropriate time - snowdrops and tete-a-tetes, maybe?

 

Would you like some bare root hostas Debra? I'm splitting them as we speak!