Fuscia or hydrangea

[Notsogreenthumb]

I have a 2ft by 1ft planter that needs filling and I'd like to bring some colour to my garden. I have partial sun for 4-5 hours of the day and then shade for the rest of the day. Currently in that area I have my roses and lavender. I'm thinking of a hydrangea or fuscia. My last plant succumbed to fungus (escallonia) so I worry about fuscias as I read they are quite susceptible to fungal disease. And hydrangea seem too large for a planter. I won't have the garden space to replant it into the ground so I need a plant I can keep relatively small. Is this possible for hydrangeas if I cut back hard every year?

Any suggestions would be welcome or any other easy maintenance blooms, ideally something larger than smaller ones like violas or bedding flowers.

Thanks in advance 😊

There are types of dwarf Hydrangeas that remain small, such as Little Lime, the smaller version of Limelight. Or Pee Wee and Little Blue.

I would go for fuchsia.
Most Hydrangeas are useless for pollinating insects whereas most fuchsias are very popular.

What about a rock rose? We have one in a planter surrounded by bulbs (spring bulbs and nerines) so the planter has flowers in spring, summer, autumn. And it’s evergreen so looks decent in winter too.

Hydrangeas do fairly well in pots. I have two. They tolerate morning sun/partial shade. Just be sure to give them plenty of water though.

I've got a hydrangea which was in a pot for years - did ok, didn't grow much, and they can be cut back. You can control the conditions in a pot if you want a blue. It did need watering quite a lot

I've also got a fuchsia in a pot, but it dies back to almost nothing and then takes a good while to grow again - this may depend on the variety (of course some aren't hardy)

I've got a rock rose (cistus) too - it has quite a short flowering season so not the best for colour IME but I quite like the shape the stem has grown, it looks rather like a bonsai with no effort.
And also a hebe - that's quite good for having coloured foliage year round as well as the flowers.

Hydrangea. Won’t be able to go too beserk in a pot but they’re very bouncy and effusive and hardier than fuschias which can be hit and miss in a planter, IME.

Thank you all, I think I'm leaning toward the hydrangea too as I'd ideally want it more for the vibrancy and a longer blooming period.

I had a beautiful hebe that also was attacked by fungus and I'm starting to think my planters are rubbish at draining water. I drilled lots of holes in them but all my plants in those died and the soil was very water logged. I didn't water heavily either so I think it must be that. All my plants that were in a different type of planter survived happily and have no issues.

In terms of flowers I've always wanted fuscias as I find them so beautiful but if they have a short blooming time then I think I'll stick to hydrangea

Some fuchsias have a long blooming time but more towards the back end of the year, well into autumn.

I ended up getting both 🤦🏽‍♀️

Good call.

I bought this one recently.

Hydrangea Paniculata ‘Ophelia’

It’s a compact plant, well suited to pots.

Oh just seen your update! I was going to suggest you get both.

Next year I’m going to have fuschia baskets, I think. They are really lovely.

That hydrangea is stunning @Ninkanink. I think I'll get that in my own home soon