Advice on perennial plants for pots.

[Snugglepiggy]

I'm looking for some advice on a selection of perenial container plants for a variety of year round colour and interest.I would like something scented amongst them.We have a large south facing patio just outside the house.One side is shadier due to a large beech tree from next doors garden, but the rest is very sunny.I've amassed a fair collection of medium to large pots.But over the years ,and have always planted up with spring bulbs then later summer bedding plants.However I'd like to simplify things,and don't like buying all the annuals in flimsy plastic pots and trays each year.I've just bought two hardy fuschias in an unusual blue and white colour -Delta Sarah -and am considering planting these in two large matching pots ,but would like to underplant if possible for colour before they flower.Also has anyone experience of growing Daphne in containers ?Any suggestions would be welcome.

Lavender is great for sunny areas. English and French varieties are beautiful. Hydrangea in shady areas. Patio roses for sunny spots.

I’ve got loads of plants in pots in an area that gets sun for the morning and early afternoon. My favourite are ferns, also got hostas, several varieties of ivy, a castor oil plant, an epimedium, a standard ivy, various grasses, some evergreen conifers, a contorted hazel, a clematis, a honeysuckle, acers, sedums and a variegated laurel. I do plant up some smaller pots with annuals like geraniums and dot them around for a bit of summer colour. I’ve also got a perennial scented viola, I don’t know the name of it and haven’t seen another one but it has the most beautiful scent.

Thanks.Yes I love ferns and hostas and already have quite a number in a raised beds alongside the shady part of the patio.Grasses I never thought of for pots,but that's an interesting idea.And hydrangeas I love so will definitely research which ones.Also really like the idea of sedums. I never cared too much for roses ,a result of my association with older more formal flower beds full of them.But now have two lovely ones in a different part of the garden so will also consider othersome suitable for pots.

I have essentially got a container garden. Verbena, agapanthus, sea holly, allium, penstemon, lavender, echinacea, salvia, daisy, nepeta, lavender, salvia hot lips, hardy geraniums, crocosmia, phlox, delphiniums, honestly everything is in pots, works for me as I use an appropriate soil type and if they aren’t happy I move the pot somewhere else.

Some of my south facing pots look like this this week ....

Thanks again.I've never grown agapanthus or sea holly and will certainly put those on the wish list.Also nepata in containers I could try.I recently saw a short ,white type in a nursery so will consider that too.

I have got a few different varieties of sea holly, they are fab. I grew mu agapanthus from seed so very cheap but took two years to flower - the satisfaction is immense!

I also have grassses, hurchera, climbing and normal hydrangeas in potsa- all look fab.