Please help me choose some plants

[Cakeandslippers]

Hi everyone. I'm an enthusiastic beginner when it comes to gardening. My old house had a lovely garden with lots of flowers, shrubs and roses and I have learned how to generally keep them alive and looking nice. I have never really chosen plants though! I just let other people tell me what to plant it look after what's already there.... so I'm looking for some ideas as I'm trying to learn a bit about different plants.

In my current house I've just cleared this area and I'm going to plant some things in these pots. I'm just not sure whether to buy the normal bedding type plants I'm used to buying or be a bit more adventurous with things.... does any one have any nice suggestions, just so I'm a bit less boring than normal! The garden is south facing though this wall is north facing but the pots are somehow in the sunshine for a good chunk of the day.

The rest of my garden is fruit trees and shrubs mainly with a few flowers so I'd really like some colour. Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Maybe put a couple of flowering shrubs in the largest pots, as they will then last for a number of years, perhaps a potentilla and a rosemary, and fill the smaller ones with annuals and herbs?

@MustardRose oh yes that sounds lovely, herbs would be fantastic, I hadn't thought of that. I think some bigger flowering shrubs would be nice, potentilla is a great call based on a quick search, I'll have read up on them. I might buy one more large pot too as the other ones I have are plastic and look a bit odd but that'd give something substantial. Thank you!

Roses in the big one? Oregano and thyme get lots of small flowers later in the summer, great for bees etc. if that's something you consider .

Is that a doorway at the corner of the picture? I like to have rosemary and thyme close to a door where I can reach them easily for cooking. Mint is also good. A bay tree is also handy but would need a bigger pot.

The big terracotta one with the bits sticking out is often used for strawberries as well as herbs.

Perhaps do some salad leaves as well.

Maybe stick with some showy annuals and some herbs/salad/strawberries this summer then take the autumn/winter period to do some planning for shrubs/bulbs/perennials.

Some great ideas here, thank you all!

@FrDamo yes I think that's a really good idea to look at some options over winter. It'd be good to have a few things that I don't need to think too much about in the spring next year.

@applesandpears33 yes it is a doorway but it's an outhouse type thing rather than a door to my house. I'll need a few more plants near my kitchen though and it's given me the idea of using some of my fave herbs there! I didn't know you could grow baby trees here, I like that idea, off to Google it. Happy to buy a bigger pot, that's just am assortment of ones we had hanging around.

@Giantrooster ooh we love bees! Thanks, definitely going to look at these.

Have a look at Sarah Ravens site. not to buy, they are very expensive, but she does have the gift of putting plants together in pots so they make a stunning display.

Ps if anyone thinks I am being mean and stealing her ideas I have just ordered some hugely expensive metal plant display things for someone’s special birthday from SR so I think I have paid for a bit of idea pinching!

@viques nothing wrong with seeking inspiration online, if they don't want to share, they wouldn't post. Anyway you've just given them a lovely thumbs up .

@applesandpears33 can I ask about bay trees too, do they survive winter and how?

If you want a fast climber that's very pretty and fairly hard nosed then try a passion flower. I get the plants from B&M Garden stores and they've been great

I have a lot of pots and planters, in ones your size I’d put an hydrangea, some Cosmos in the smaller ones, Rosemary, specialist mint,( I have Strawberry Mint) and maybe a small rose. I have Blue Eyes For You.

@giantrooster I think it depends where you are in the UK how you will get on with a bay tree. I live in Scotland and we can have pretty harsh winters. My current bay tree is about 5 years old, but I did lose a previous one to frost and low temperatures when we had a sustained period of snow and ice about ten years ago. If you are in the south of England I think you'd be OK.

Thanks @applesandpears33
Even worse I'm in Southern Scandinavia , think our weather is pretty similar to some of Scotland. I've successfully had a lemon tree out for some years, this year we had -10c way too much, and no lemon tree anymore . Guess I could give it a go for the milder winters.

I'd love a lemon tree but sadly I don't think it would survive outside here. I've always fancied an orangerie for citrus fruits (once I win the lottery). I've just bought a small canaries palm tree and I'm taking the view that I'll enjoy it this summer and if it lasts the winter then I'll be happy.