What to plant in big wooden planters

[cherryblossommorningstoday]

Hi,

We've had our garden done and the landscaper has created 3 big planting boxes out of wooden sleepers. Soil depth varies from 6 inches to a foot or more.

What is good to plant at this time of year that can be left there with minimum maintenance but still be ok next year please? It's the only place for anything bright in the garden (grass lawn in front of them) so something pretty with some flowers would be good!

We have 2 small ish children so something interesting for them good too but not essential.

(I know nothing about gardening but am willing to learn!)

Thank you!

Ooh! Sounds lovely!

I'd plant herbs and/or veg in one of them. I have lavender, rosemary, various mints, lemon thyme, normal thyme, basil and chives in a sunny, dry bed. It attracts lots of bees and insects which might be interesting to children. My children are not at the interested in the garden stage now, but when they were we grew some salad stuff, carrots, and things like strawberries and blackcurrants. Also green beans are fun to pick.

The problem with flowers is that you don't get them for very long. I've got quite into these heucheras: www.plantagogo.com/Heuchera/ because they have lovely coloured foliage which gives interest far beyond a flowering season. They have a good variety at my nearest garden centre, so they shouldn't be impossible to find.

Good luck :)

Strawberries

@tranquilityofsolitude

Aw thank you so much. I love the Heucheras, I've just ordered 3.

Is there anything special I need to do when they arrive and I plant them outside please (I admit I'm a total novice but very excited to finally have a garden to try to make nice for the kids!).

We did try some strawberries in pots but they weren't very successful at all!