Novice

[HouseOfGoldandBones]

We've recently moved into a new house, and part of the garden is a paved courtyard, which doesn't get a lot of sunlight, but is fairly sheltered.

To try to make it softer, I want to use some potted plants.

BUT, I am not great at looking after plants.

Can you recommend any plants I can use (I'm not too fussy about the size), but I would like to have all year round greenery/colour.

I don't mind doing a bit of looking after, but I do have a reputation for not being able to keep anything alive for any longer than a couple of weeks.

I appreciate this may be an impossible task.

How about some ferns.
Something like this
www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk/shop/dryopteris-cycadina-0850035523/

Get a nice large pot and plant in John Innes with some water retaining crystals and then all you have to do is remember to water it regularly.

I grow bamboo, Fatsia, olive trees, and hardy palms in my N facing courtyard, for all year round colour. They do well and are easy to look after.
I also will try just about anything in a pot, so for summer flowering I have roses, fuschias, clematis, hydrangeas and some bedding plants. I will sometimes move the pots around if I think the plant needs more sun. The important thing it to make sure each pot is appropriately fed and watered.

Thanks for the suggestions.

My DDad has given me a Hosta & some small firs, so I'll try them too.

grasses do well in pots

Skimmia, fatsia, euonymous, pittosporum, photinia, bay, rhododendron, azalea, box.

I’ve been trying for 15 years to kill a potted box, hasn’t worked yet I don’t think I’ve ever changed the compost, either!