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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 16, 2013 9:58:08 GMT
As we are changing things in the garden we have decided to fill some of the larger tubs - 50/60/70 and 1/100 container with a mix of perennial/bushes and summer flowers.
The summer flowers aren't a problem really but has anyone ideas for perennials and shrubs that do really well in tubs. I have had a lot of things but at the end of the day they tend to last a year and then either I can't get anything else in the tub because of roots or the they have just looked a real mess.
Hubby wants things on the terrace that smell - I think that is possibly better with summer flowers but are there any small perennial/shrubs that would fit the bill perhaps?? I know that all the tubs will have to go into the GH for winter but we should be able to mange that....any and all ideas are welcome.
Thanks
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 16, 2013 11:28:54 GMT
I'll have a think about this Rosefriend, I'm thinking Sarcococca would give a good scent and they're evergreen but they might'nt be what you're thinking. |
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 16, 2013 12:03:30 GMT
Oh snap Ladygardener. Sarcococca was my first thought! Mine does very well in a pot Rosefriend but are you thinking of summer scent? |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 16, 2013 12:14:51 GMT
I have to confess Ladygardener and Jasmine that I had a Sarcococca some years ago - Olaf suggested it. The only problem is and was is that we never got to smell it...our winters are too long and there is no room in the front garden to plant it. The front garden is the only place that we would ever smell it. After a couple of years it looked ratty and yukky.... Yes it is more spring, summer, early autumn that I am looking for...there are so many things but they are mostly far too big for tubs after a year or so and I was looking for something that I could keep in a tub for a few years and then just add spring/summer interest each year... Rf |
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 16, 2013 13:04:07 GMT
Ok I'll have a good think when Jenny and the girls leave Rosefriend . |
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 16, 2013 18:22:01 GMT
I have a Hebe in a pot Rosefriend and I add bulbs, pansies etc... round it through the year. I can't remember it's name - I'll check tomorrow. Phlox do well in pots, penstemons don't after the first year or two - well, not for me anyway. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 16, 2013 18:37:43 GMT
My problem is going to be our winters Jasmine as Hebe's are mostly house plants - they won't stand some of our terrible winters.... I have tried a couple of times in the ground and they died - ion a pot they could be even more sensitive I think... I wonder if the way to go is larger perennials or Salvias or Agastache etc?? |
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 16, 2013 18:49:20 GMT
Hebes only last in pots in my garden - rabbits can strip them bare overnight! I had agastache in a pot last year and I noticed it was just coming back. They'd look good with something orange like poppies. Grasses do well in pots. Moorhexe would be a good pot sized grass. Think it's a Molinia  EDIT. Yes it is...Molinia seems quite robust against the weather too. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 16, 2013 18:53:15 GMT
I nought some grasses last year for the garden and I am hoping they come back...a lovely grass that isn't too thuggish would look nice I think - especially one that was a bit weeping or a straight up one with weeping summer flowers perhaps...yes I can definately see that..
Will look up the Moorhexe, thanks..
RF
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Post by Tig on Feb 16, 2013 20:24:37 GMT
I have lavender in a tall ceramic pot by the back door, that provides some scent, and seems to cope with the cold OK. Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina is happy in a container, will love the summer heat but would probably need to go in the cellar over winter A hardy azalea should cope, and at least in a container you can guarantee ericaceous compost. The azalea japonica schneewittchen which I rescued last November is doing very well despite being planted out when the soil was very wet and cold! Not many perennials have lasted long in containers for me, my best results have been gaillardia goblin, lavender and the variegated carex I bought with no label back in 2010. |
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Post by isabella on Feb 17, 2013 7:03:14 GMT
Rosefriend - I have a couple of Verbascums in pots - one of them has been in the same pot for 4 or 5 years - I feed it through the summer but have to move it into the cold greenhouse for the winter  |
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 17, 2013 7:58:28 GMT
Just seen an advert for Daphne × transatlantica Eternal Fragrance in the paper. Compact and evergreen and suitable for containers it said!
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 17, 2013 8:12:37 GMT
I have lavender in a tall ceramic pot by the back door, that provides some scent, and seems to cope with the cold OK. Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina is happy in a container, will love the summer heat but would probably need to go in the cellar over winter A hardy azalea should cope, and at least in a container you can guarantee ericaceous compost. The azalea japonica schneewittchen which I rescued last November is doing very well despite being planted out when the soil was very wet and cold! Not many perennials have lasted long in containers for me, my best results have been gaillardia goblin, lavender and the variegated carex I bought with no label back in 2010. Rosefriend - I have a couple of Verbascums in pots - one of them has been in the same pot for 4 or 5 years - I feed it through the summer but have to move it into the cold greenhouse for the winter Just seen an advert for Daphne × transatlantica Eternal Fragrance in the paper. Compact and evergreen and suitable for containers it said! Thanks Tig - I think it may just be trial and error job really. OH was in Internet but most of the things that he found to start with means we would have to move to the Caribbean!! Others thing are just too big... isabella - I love Verbascums and with so many different types it would certainly be a good idea for one tub, thanks.. Daphne × transatlantica Eternal Fragrance Jasmine - oooooo wonder if Olaf has it in stick. I do love Daphne's but wasn't sure that they did too well in pots...will have a look around.. I will certainly have sweetpeas etc - maybe it would be better to concentrate on the couple of tubs for the back and one for the front and the rest with summer flowers and hope that I can see things during the summer. RF |
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Post by Missredhead on Feb 17, 2013 11:39:46 GMT
Dwarf sweet peas in a tub would be good for the terrace and you get lots of scent off them too....
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totp
Assistant Gardener
Posts: 128
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Post by totp on Feb 18, 2013 8:27:53 GMT
What about a rosemary? Some of them are more floriferous than others, but they have a lovely scent. I have one in a pot that I leave outside. I wrap it up as I don't want the pot to crack but it is still outside. The same goes for (culinary) sage . I have a couple one with really nice blue flowers and another with more variegated leaves. I think could both could be trained as standards for effect.
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 18, 2013 8:42:21 GMT
Rosefriend Thyme makes a lovely green mound and has a wonderful scent. It's one of the hardiest herbs. I grow it an it does very well despite not getting much summer last year. Oh and when it flowers the bees love it.
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 18, 2013 15:02:52 GMT
Dwarf sweet peas in a tub would be good for the terrace and you get lots of scent off them too.... I think you have more luck with the dwarf ones than I do Missredhead - found a packet though in my box!! What about a rosemary? Some of them are more floriferous than others, but they have a lovely scent. I have one in a pot that I leave outside. I wrap it up as I don't want the pot to crack but it is still outside. The same goes for (culinary) sage . I have a couple one with really nice blue flowers and another with more variegated leaves. I think could both could be trained as standards for effect. Rosefriend Thyme makes a lovely green mound and has a wonderful scent. It's one of the hardiest herbs. I grow it an it does very well despite not getting much summer last year. Oh and when it flowers the bees love it. What a great idea totp and @ ladynovicegardener - just as it happens we went out this lunchtime and passed a couple of GC's....they have already got all the herbs in, some lovely plants but lovely prices as well... I think a tub on the terrace with herbs would be lovely cuisine wise but also bee and butterfly wise... Thanks for the suggestions.. RF |
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