Inspiration for the clueless needed

[tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz]

After many years of only seeming to do pots/containers/hanging baskets with bedding plants I realised it’s an expensive and short term way to liven up the garden. Plus dead heading takes ages and I’m lazy.

Our garden itself is bordered with lots of lovely shrubs many of which are pollinators so in addition to squirrels, hedgehogs and lots of birds we get lots of lovely bees and butterflies.

But I’m still itching to do some pots and do love how my hanging baskets brighter everywhere up.

I had some success with long narrow planters in which I planted some Ivy’s and little conifers. These looked lovely however I was then left with x 6 narrow shrubs that I felt needed to be planted in the ground in the autumn as I thought they needed to be “planted on” in the ground.

So as you’ve guessed I’m a bit clueless at this 😳

Does anyone have any suggestions for what I can plant in pots and containers that will -

1 Be happy in the pot for a number of years (talking medium size pots),
2 Flower at times
3 not too expensive

I’m looking to cover x 2 areas - back patio which is sheltered but completely in the shade Sept to May and front of house which is open to the elements but gets some sun pretty much all year(possibly too much this summer!).

Oh and for some inexplicable reason I really, really want a pink Cordyline! 😁

Thanks all

Doh - should say clueless in title

My strawberries have turned out quite hardy and they are in pots. The flowers are lovely and the fruit yield isn't massive but fun enough to pick as they appear.

And sweet marjoram in window boxes has lovely flowers and bees love it.

Hope that helps a little 🙂

Now I did wonder about strawberry plants as there is the obvious tasty benefit!

Will the same plant in a pot come back a second year? Can I just buy a small plant? When's best to do this?

Thanks also I do like the sound of herbs too.

A couple of suggestions
For your shadier area hardy fuchsia and hostas
For your sunny side then salvias. I've had salvia armistad in a pot for three years

I hate the waste and expense of annual bedding too.

Thanks! I think my ... I do love fushias 🌺

No idea why that came out so garbled!

My strawberries came back. I was surprised and pleased as I had only bought a couple pots from Thompson and Morgan and expected to lose them over the winter but this spring and summer they have flourished.

I would buy in spring, I think.

Depending on what size you are looking for, I like cordylines and palms for all year round interest, we also have banana trees, acers, rose bushes, ornamental grasses, all in large pots, which add lots of variety and then we plant up lots of plug points in the spring, petunias, begonias etc.

Lots of herbs do well in pots, best place for some of them, are good for bees and are edible. Not sure about shade though.