Container gardening

[Lubeylube]

I need some advice please. We are having our garden redone. Currently we have no plants in it, just grass. As I'm not an avid gardener I thought it might be the best idea to have shrubs in containers instead of directly in the ground, partly because when the shrubs get too untidy in my husbands mind he cuts them all down and kills them and partly because I think they look neater and you dont have to worry about trying to cut the grass round them if they are in containers. We are definitely not having borders. Is it relatively easy to grow plants in containers? I understand that they need feeding and watering in the hot weather, are there any more disadvantages that I've missed?

Where will you stand your containers? On paving? If you plan to stand them on the grass then cutting around them would be a pain.
Containers can be great in a very small garden or to add splashes of colour in any garden but planting in soil borders is so much easier.

Yes, I was going to have an area of paving slabs with containers on it.

Some plants are easy in containers, others less so. It's a good idea imo to have a discreet area for out of season plants so you can move them around. So for instance I've got pots for bulbs plus violas for winter which get replaced by geraniums or whatever in summer.

Decent sized shrubs would need big pots both for them to survive and also for stability so they need to be planned more as fixtures. If you're having an area of paving, a possible option would be to leave spaces for shrubs to go into the ground - they might do better but while not having the mowing issue.

Plants in containers generally need more attention than plants in the ground - they’ll need regular watering and feeding, repotting when they get too big, and shrubs still need pruning to maintain a good shape. Its not the most low-maintenance option.

You could get summer bedding plants and grow those in pots, then throw them on the compost/put them in your green bin at the end of the season and start again next year. Go for bigger pots that take longer to dry out, but they’ll still need watering in prolonged dry weather.

I have a few shrubs and bushes that are very low maintenance when planted in the ground - they just need a trim once a year. Roses, lilac, chaenomeles and choisya are lovely and pretty much look after themselves. They’ll tolerate pruning, but not being cut back to ground level (except possibly the roses). In pots they’d need a lot more attention.

Part of my garden is a courtyard with over 70 containers. I have experimented with all sorts of plants.
The container must suit the type of plant. It does not always follow that large plants like large containers, some like their roots restricted.
For large statement plants I have Bamboo, Fatsia Japonica, Cordyline, Olive trees and a large Rhododendron.
For medium plants I have rose bushes, Acers, azalea, grasses, and hydrangeas.
In lower pots I will put bedding plants along side climbing clematis and roses, herbs and alpines. Spring bulbs and lilies.

It is best to find out about particular soil types and watering needs for each plant. This sounds tiresome, but just choose the plants that suit your time and ability. I’m a bit of a fanatic! Can’t resist a plant.
Nice to have a water feature as well.
Enjoy finding your plants.

A couple of photos in the rain.

@Beebumble2

I love container planting, your courtyard sounds amazing, if I had the space and time its what I'd like to create

Thank you Ted27 it’s become my passion, I leave the veg to DH!

Thank you all for your suggestions. It is a good idea to leave spaces to plant directly into the ground. I will definitely bear that in mind. @Feawen, thank you for the plant suggestions. @Beebumble2 your pots look amazing, thank you also for the suggestions. Lots to think about.

No problem Lubeylube, hope you find something that works for you. Fan containers Beebumble2!

Fab!