Shrubs for pots

Have six pots in the front garden, which is east facing.
Want to put some tough hardy SMALL shrubs in them, that can look after themselves pretty much.
No bigger than two by two foot height and spread. (60cm x 60cm).
two of the pots are about two foot diameter and about a two foot deep.
The other four are two foot across, but only about a foot deep.
Want them to be evergreen, not bothered about scent, and not to out grow the pots they will live in.
Was thinking Skimmia may do the job requirements, as it's a tough old dude. What do you think?
Or maybe you have a better suggestion?
It is rather wind swept and can get cold and its out front where cars (although not many) pass by.
Thanks.

 

There are a range of Hebe's and Dwarf Conifers that will grow in tubs/pots. Only thing is to make sure that they don't dry out in the summer.

 

Sarracocca and Osmanthus both grow slowly and do fine in pots. I have both (the Osmanthus is a variegated one, which looks good) and neither have required repotting in two years.

 

There's lots to choose from the euonymus family

carex grasses
Ophiopogon nigrescens (black lily turf)
erica heather for the smaller pots

Skimmia reveesiana as it has flowers and berries
there's so many of the heuchera's to choose from,
euphorbia amygdaloides purpurea,

or even a pot just full of variegated mint tho it might not look so good over the winter months.
Lonicera nitida Aurea
Leucothoe Curly Red

and add a little mulch of pebbles to finish off your pots.

 

I bought a variegated Enuonymus this morning that only grows to a metre tall which would be prefect in a pot (although I have somewhere else for it to go).

 

Thanks all. Have tried mini conifers, but they just were just not happy in the position, which is strange as they are pretty tough plants and I gave them exactly what they required. Carex, were good, but they were messy, dropping there leaves all over the place and a pain to pick up off of pea-shingle.
Skimmia seems a good one as do the others mentioned. So will give some thought to those.
Thanks again.

 

Following on from original poster's question I've just joined the forum for some similar advice. In my case my garden is north facing and the pots are various sizes and positioned against the wall of the house so sheltered by the house which faces north as well. We also have lots of pots in a patio area alongside the house which is sheltered on three sides but not the north facing side. I've tried heathers in some of them but they only lasted one season and I've tried dwarf conifers too and they didn't grow well. I also had a hebe in one pot but that died after the first few months. I'm fed up of the usual summer bedding plants which only look good for a few months and then die and look dreadful for most of the year. Would the suggestions above be okay in north facing and are there any suggestions for smaller pots - 6inch diameter - as well as we have varying sizes of pots and long for something that looks good all year round. Not bothered about fragrance or even colour really just something that will stay alive and look good all year round.

thanks for any help

 

Have a look through the plants on this link to Crocus. Not all will be suitable as some are fast growing, but it might give you an idea of where to start.

http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/plcid.1/vid.241/start.1/sort.1/

Edited to add, I haven't set the search for North facing, but you can do that.

Euonymus would be a good bet - lots of lovely foliage and slow growing.