What can I plant in my pots now?

[extinctspecies]

Need inspiration for 2 large metal pots which currently have very leggy & tired looking pansies in.

Would like something that will flower from now through September. Could not find any inspiration in the garden centre.

And I hate begonias.

Please give me some ideas!

Fuchsias often come into their own towards autumn. Loads of choice and not hard to look after. Trailing variegated ivy along the edges looks good too.

Dahlias

Watching. I have two hanging baskets that I've managed to destroy during this heat wave. Need replacing and also would like some colour from now - for as long as possible!

Cosmos will march on until first frosts?

If you’ve got a Homebase near you have a look in their garden section, they’ve reduced loads of bedding and other plants.

Rudbeckia

Petunias?

I bought some magenta cosmos in Homebase yesterday with this in mind. Dahlias are looking good from now on, but I don't know if they would go through to September. Or would geraniums suit? Mine seem to flower for ages.

Would you buy a shrub? Buddleia or one of the later flowering smaller hydrangeas like Little Lime?