What to plant in this?

Hi all.

I thought I would ask for opinions on what to plant in this pot which measures just under 3ft high by 16 inch square.
It was in the back garden and had the plant shown here in it, sorry I cannot find a name for that.
Sadly it perished after the winter of 2010/2011. I have now moved the pot to the front garden where it will be in full sun so any new plant needs to be able to handle that as well being winter hardy. I appreciate proportion is essential for this which is why I picked the previous plant.
Any suggestions anyone?

ggg

 

Every plants in pots are more vulnerable then the one in the soil, as heavy frost will reach the roots and froze them to death , even if many peoples have lost them phormium last year even in the soil , anyway.....
Trachycarpus fortunei
cordyline australis
yucca (hardy species only)
bamboo (hardy species only)
fatsia
aspidistra
astelia chathamica (will only take -5)
Cyca revoluta (will only take -5)
Agave (more then few frost hardy variety)
anymore?

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply sal, I cannot plant things that will grow too high in it as they may topple it eventually so plants that will grow no higher than 5/6 feet are my only choice.

ggg

 

What a fab pot. Love it.

I'd be tempted to put something sculptural in that. I'd probably put something you could clip into a ball shape. Box? (Is that any good for full sun? I know it's ok in a pot because I've got a box ball in a pot at the shady end of my garden.)

Or, my mum had a yew in a pot. Found this on the RHS website - http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=729

• Yew is an ideal shrub for containers where it can be placed by doorways or steps to frame the area and create emphasis
• Ensure sufficient water is given throughout the year and that there is adequate drainage in the base of the container

And they recommended this variety -

T. baccata ‘Standishii’ AGM: (female) is a slow-growing selection of ‘Fastigiata’. It is ideal for a sunny site, has a columnar habit with golden yellow leaves. It will eventually reach a height of 1.5m (5ft) by 60cm (2ft) wide. A useful cultivar for creating an ‘exclamation mark’ in the garden.

Sounds ideal, and would look fab in that pot colour.

 

A very handsome pot.
You need to make it hard to steal if it's going in the front garden.

 

Jo Sara..thank you for commenting, I am not too keen on Box or Yew to be honest, sorry.

I am sure something a tad more distinctive will look great in it though.

Madahllia..it weights a ton even when empty it would take two strong men to lift it, when potted up I do not think it will be going anywhere..I hope :thumb:

 

What about corkscrew hazel
BBC - Gardening: Plant Finder - Corkscrew hazel
Corkscrew hazel in a pot. - My Garden

 

Four inches of Brown, then four inches of green grass cuttings, Layer throughout year and wait for Spring

Alternativly a nice large Cacti type plant

Jack McHammocklashing

 

How about a Camellia?

 

The plant that was in it looks like a phormium which I think was a good choice. I think I'd be inclined to go with something with a similar effect.

 

What about a big hosta? Nothing in the winter but it should come back every year.