What 'flowers' do you recommend?

I've just been paid (hoorah! - the joys of being self-employed, I never know exactly when this will be!). I've also just won some lovely large ceramic pots on ebay. I have a lot of exotic foliage in my garden, but very few 'flowers.' I was wondering what you folks would recommend, as I thought I'd like some more colour for my garden.
I have a small container garden (nothing planted out). So nothing that can grow too huge (or at least can't be controlled). I tend to favour interesting foliage, and especially plants that have year-round interest. (The problem with annuals etc is that I end up with an empty pot throughout the winter). I do like bold colours and feature plants, and am not a huge fan of pink.
There are pics of my container garden here: http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/piccies-of-my-container-garden.65447/#post-815430
I already have some spring flowers in a planter (past their best). I have lilac, buddleia, several roses, and broom. But that's it for 'flowers.' (Some of my fruit trees blossom in spring, but again, are past their best). I'm looking for summer colour that won't be too ugly in pots over the winter, ideally. Suggest away! (And pics of your favs would be lovely)

 

Ah, now this is a mahoosive question!

For example, clue will be along soon and extolling the virtues of nasturtiums (and, rightly so! Flowers, leaves, edibles, quick growing, almost fool-proof: so, much to recommend).

So, let's break that down:-

~ I know you are container gardening at present, so clearly it has to be something container grown?

~ Do you want an "edible"?
~ Do you want colour and not fussed about eating it?
~ Do you want annual or perennial? Yes, I read your bit about annuals, but, the wonder of [some of] them is, they can under plant an evergreen thus not having to endure a bare pot.
~ Do you have a particularly favourite, *must have* colour in mind?
~ Do you have a particular flowering time in mind?
~ Does it have to *earn* it's space above all else?


Sorry, just some of my random, knee-jerk thoughts

 

Ooh... good questions...

Yes, has to be container grown.
I have quite a lot of edibles at the moment, so happy to go for pretty flowers that serve no other purpose.
*Probably* perennial, but could be persuaded otherwise.
I am not too picky on colour, but I do like bold statement colours, (bright orange/yellow/purple/blue etc).
Not sure I have a particular flowering time in mind, but mid - late summer would be nice.
As it's a small garden, I like the idea that it has to 'earn its space.' I like everything to make a statement (I do shuffle plants around depending on what's best at each time of year, because they're all in pots, so I can!).
I also don't want anything too prone to slugs/snails. I hate the blighters but feel guilty using pellets!
Also, the garden is almost directly South facing, there isn't much shade (what there is, is largely taken up).

 

Ok, well .... I'll start the bidding with "Cranesbill" - I love them!

They are perennial and come in a variety of sizes/colours. They will die back in the winter, but, when Spring comes, so do the cranesbill and they have a long flowering season (especially if you give them a trim!).

For example:



The pink one (sorry, I don't know the variety) I have had for years. I moved here 4 years ago and brought a snippet with me and it has thrived! The blue one was already here and I just let it do its thing. It is taller and broader than the pink one.

I did buy a "dying" version last year (no pix: sorry :( ) and it is t.h.r.i.v.i.n.g!!!! And, much, much taller than either of the ones above. Almost blue in colour!

Oh and they can "drape" over the sides of your pots (well, some of them do: I believe (?) )

That's your "starter for 10"

 

If much of the rest of your garden is edible, foliage or all-season, I think you could do worse than treat yourself to some workhorse half-hardy perennials such as the shops are full of right now. True, the pots will be bare in the winter but there is nothing like them for providing a pop of colour from now right through to the first frosts - I don't think that's bad value. And you can hide the bare pots behind the shed for a bit!

I'm thinking of the likes of pelargoniums, tagetes, begonias and petunias but there are many more. I know they are as common as muck but there's a good reason for that - they are excellent performers. Some less common ones you may find are lophospermum and thunbergia.

Personally, I prefer single colours and plants per pot so they make a significant mono-coloured clump. They can be harder to find though, as most trays of bedding plants sadly come in mixed colours. They create a riot of colour but can look bitty. It's all down to personal preference, though.

 

I'd suggest Lobelia cardinalis 'Victoria' and Zantedeschia aethiopica.

 

Have a look at Astilbe, slugs don't like these!!!!

Val

 

Oh dear, I want all of the above! Really like the astilbe, though I'm not sure if they would like my sunny garden, I only have one shady corner.
I forgot to mention I also have a cat, dog, and toddler... so poisonous plants have to be taken into consideration (although I don't leave the toddler unattended).

 

One pot for tender bulbs (stick it in the shed/garage over the winter);
Hymenocallis festalis.................


Or Eucomis................


Hardy plants;
Fuchsia, some Salvia, Tradescantia, Commelina, Day Lilies and (my top pick) Alstromeria psittacina...............


The list is endless really.