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Gardening

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Does such a plant exist? Recommendations please

6 replies

SquirrelInTheOak · 27/05/2020 10:28

This may be unrealistic but here goes. I'm looking for a plant that :

Is happy in a container.

Is ok in a west/south west position. The area gets sun for most of the day as not shady.

Will live outside all year round in a fairly sheltered, but rainy, spot in the UK.

Does not need watering more than around once a fortnight.
Ditto deadheading

Will be in flower for at least three months, ideally during spring/summer.

Finding the position challenging for growing plants. It dies get very strong sun from around 4pm. Have experienced dead begonias two summers ago (it was too hot that year) and somehow have manged to destroy primulas this year.
I'm a hopeless gardener and need easy plants that aren't terribly demanding!

OP posts:
Beebumble2 · 27/05/2020 10:38

Roses might fit the bill. Other drought tolerant daisy type flowers such as Osteospermum might also fit. I’ve managed to overwinter mine in pots outside.
For all plants in extreme heat you would need to up the watering frequency.

SquirrelInTheOak · 27/05/2020 10:59

Osteospermum sound ideal, will keep checking Crocus for when they're back in stock.
Fingers crossed for successful containers next summer!
Thanks bee.

OP posts:
florentina1 · 27/05/2020 14:40

Mesembryanthemum, ice plants or any fleshy leaved plants will do well there

SquirrelInTheOak · 28/05/2020 10:17

Thank you florentina1, they look lovely too!

OP posts:
sarahc336 · 28/05/2020 12:41

I second the roses suggestion, patio roses prefer to live in pots but they'd need more watering that what your suggesting. Salvias are very sun/drought tolerant and come in a wide variety of colours. X

KizzyWayfarer · 28/05/2020 13:17

Watering once a fortnight is a difficult ask in hot dry summers and I think would mean some kind of succulent. There are some suggestions in the article below.
I have a few containers in a sunny spot and would suggest pelargoniums which flower for a long period. Ordering online there are lots of lovely varieties, and the article below says scented leaf types are better in drought. Certainly my scented one is the only one which hasn’t sulked with older leaves turning yellow when it gets too dry.
I’ve just worked out that the best way of watering is to half fill a plastic box with water and put the whole pot in it to soak for 10 minutes. I’ve started to do that once a week but also top up watering most days so I can’t really advise on how infrequent watering you can get away with! Having larger containers helps as well.
Having written the above I’ve just realised that your climate might not be as mild as mine so you might not be able to overwinter pelargoniums and have to buy new each year.
Not long-flowering, but nice to have, what about lavender, rosemary, thyme?

www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/advice-tips/container-planting/container-plants-summer-survival-solutions

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