smaller planters and perenials

[applesandpears33]

I have a small garden at the back of our house and have quite a few of the elho planters that you hang over a fence. Some of them are the smaller ones with a hook at the back and a couple are the larger ones that sit on top. I usually plant them with annuals but this can be quite a lot of work. Would there be perennials I could plant instead? I was wondering about perhaps alpines? The spot is north facing but gets sun in the afternoon/evening. It is also quite exposed and has sub zero temperatures in winter. I don't want to plant ivy as I'm struggling to keep it under control in the front garden.

Yes, is the short answer. And most of the small growing perennials seemed to be classed as "alpines" irrespective of whetehr they've eve been near the ALps. I suppose they're likely to be mountain plants because being tiny isn't a viable choice in the lowlands where you'd be crowded out by larger plants, except in challenging habitats like bogs.

Damp will be your issue, so plant them in very free drawing soil , lots of horticultural grit so they don’t get damp feet in winter or cold wet weather.

And take cuttings, very easy, to plug any gaps.

Another option could be pelargoniums, (geraniums but not hardy geraniums ). They thrive on neglect, just deadhead them.