Pots

Hi

I moved into my house 3 years ago and we have made the garden maintenance free by just turfing and then having a large block paved patio but I would like to have some pots to make it look a little more like a garden. The area where the pots would be is a little shaded and I wold like things that would have flowers in the summer and stay green and alive in the winter (not just die off). I also don't really know where to start as planting anything in a pot, i.e what compost to use etc? Has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

Laura

 

Hi Laura welcome to the forum.
I think the plants you have in mind would have to be some type of shrubs that flower although hostas and seasonal bedding plants and bulbs would be a better and more stunning show all round.Although saying that you could have some alpines in pots too that would also work well.

Hostas although they flower don't have a brilliant flower in fact they are best kept for there leaves which last from spring until winter although come back each year bigger and stronger than before but they do like the shade.

You can plant some summer bedding plants like Busy Lizzie's (Impatiens) and Petunia's etc. as they do well in partial shade too although these will dead off totally come winter but come winter there are a host of plants that can brighten up your plot heathers, ivy's, winter Pansys, Polyanthus etc. so all is not lost.

Just put some gravel or stones you have knocking around in the bottom of the pots and put a mixture of good compost, grit etc. in your pots you can even top them off with gravel if you like (which is something I do with mine) also I add some moisture gel to the mixture as this helps the compost from drying out, then it's just general maintenance; water and feeding then you should be rewarded with quite a show! Good luck.:thumb:Hel.xxx.

 

Hello LauraR welcome to the forum.

 

Hi Welcome on board

 

Hi Laurar

I like Pieris in pots! They have leaf all year and flower in spring - I don't think they mind a bit of shade either.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/8946.shtml

There is a whole section on the forum on container gardening so along with Hels excellent suggestions you may get more ideas there!

Enjoy the forum

Kath

 

hi and a warm welcome to G,C..