Easy plants / Shrubs to put in pots outdoors that don't need attention

[Toomanyslippers]

I'm after a couple of plants to put in pots on my garden, basically something that needs zero attention and will just look after itself.

Is there anything?

Anything in a pot will need watering as it has no earth for its roots to tap into moisture

Lowest maintenance are bulbs or something like box

Still need watering though

yep, anything in pots needs watering.
but pretty hardy stuff that thrives in pots: shrub hibiscus, roses (though needs cutting back after flowering), box or other green foliage shrubs, camelia, dragon tree.
but again, if it's in a pot it needs watering.

Mixed artificial pots from Homebase, TKMaxx etc.

A fairy garden
A microgarden
Hen and chicks succulents
Herbs

Cornus are a good all year round plant. Lots of different varieties. Weigelia, Cotinus and hydrangea would be my second choice.

Ornamental Grasses. A lot are drought tolerant.
I have several varieties in pots and apart from a trim once a year for some, leave them pretty much alone.

Ahem.... ornamental grasses are said to be the calling-card of swingers. Google Pampas Grass.

Pot away but be aware....

Get yourself a bay tree. They need little attention, in a pot won't get too big and tasty leaves...Rosemary is pretty forgiving too.

Now you mention it DH is always asking if I fancy a swing!
I assumed he meant on the swing seat

I have quite a lot in pots. Tend to go for evergreen shrubs. Water most days though. Ceanothus - not sure of spelling

Anna...

We have yellow lillies, daisies, daffs, a purple flower that I don't know the name of and a baby apple tree. Eclectic mix but apart from water I do nothing else

Sunny or shady spot?

I am crap at remembering to water pot plants. Some have proved resistant to extremes of neglect

Sunny spot: Agave, sedums, stipa (grass), lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sempervivum.

Shady spot: Japanese acers, bamboo, sarcococcus, camellia, fuschia, box.

Use the biggest pots you can. If you are using terracotta then line with an old compost bag (poke holes in for drainage) as it stops them drying put so quickly.

littlelamb what have you got in your pots ? I have a pathway where I like evergreen shrubs in pots .

I've got an Artemisia vulgaris Oriental Limelight www.perennials.com/plants/artemisia-vulgaris-oriental-limelight.html which I like . I do cut it back and water it ,but that's all .

I have three pots if these ceanothus

(Also a Camelia rose then some panises and bedding plants)

My cherry trees managed in enormous pots with very little watering for years, although I look after them better now.

I like Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red in pots. Top tip, check if plants need ericacious compost or multi purpose before you fill your pots.

www.dobbies.com/ImageGen.ashx?image=/media/1956251/Leucothoe-axillaris-Curly-Red.jpg&Class=ProductDetailImage

Olive trees seem to thrive on benign neglect

(ie I don't think I've ever watered and they have survived fierce winters)

Plus I have a big spiky thing (yucca??) which has never had any attention and is very robust

You could go down the artificial route, there are very realistic fake plants available these days especially if you like the look of topiary eg fake box balls, fake yew pyramids etc. Just can't bring myself to suggest a shrub that you are admitting will be neglected! If you do get a real plant please place it where at least rainwater will fall onto it.