I would greatly appreciate advice about pots for outside my front door

[Champagneforeveryone]

DH and I are shortly moving house. House is a new build but in an area with very specific requirements, even down to the level of greenery you are allowed (no climbers up the front of the house for example)

Most houses seem to have a pot either side of their front door - this is absolutely fine by us.

In my head I imagined buying lovely pots and a number of plastic pots to go inside, so that we can swap them out every few months to make sure they are in flower / seasonally appropriate. However I then stalled as to what I would actually put in.

Ideally we want to attract the bees and butterflies, so had imagined lavender over the summer, but would also like bright colours if at all possible. Spring bulbs for the spring? Some sort of holly or fir tree for the winter?

DH has pointed out that these two pots seem like far more trouble than a whole actual garden. I did scoff but think he has a point. It's probably also worth mentioning that my enthusiasm for gardening far outweighs my natural ability 🙄

Do you have a private garden too? I’d be thinking an annual bulb lasagne for spring, then recycle the bulbs in the garden and start fresh for next year as they never do as well again. Switch to summer bedding which goes at the end of the year, or indeed your lavender or a couple of outrageous dahlias which you can save for next year, then something evergreen for winter like topiary bay which will last for ages. Buy the inner and outer pots at the same time to make sure you have a good fit, and be prepared to feed and water to keep them looking good.

I found a website with a nice plan for an all season planter

www.gardencrossings.com/blog/designing-four-season-porch-pots/

You'll have to show photos when you get organized! I would try to get the nicest pot you can afford, and don't skimp on the size.

ladygardener I am utterly in love with the idea of an "outrageous dahlia" and am desperately hoping it wasn't a typo 😆

We do have a private garden and I'm happy to lavish extra love and care on my beautiful pots. The idea was to buy very good pots but change the inners, so I'm glad to see I'm on the right lines!

I’d be thinking an annual bulb lasagne for spring

I've never heard the term "bulb lasagne" but it seems to describe it perfectly!

For summer I like geraniums and trailing lobelia. Now is the right time to be planting bulbs for next spring. You could maybe do ornamental cabbage or heather for the winter, but a couple of small Xmas trees or conifers with lights would be festive for Xmas.

I quite fancy a standard Holly in a pot for outside the front door for the Winter.

I had the same thought as you but haven't put the plan into motion yet.

This is what I was thinking:
Autumn - standard bay trees or holly trees
Winter - still bay / holly trees, but with battery Xmas lights
Spring - daffs / tulips bulb lasagne
Summer - a mixed display (I love salvias and roses together for example)

However, this summer I had a wigwam of sweet peas either side of the front door which have had lots of compliments. I've really liked having the height so now wondering about getting some metal obelisks and potentially doing a climber instead.

Basically I want everything but don't have the budget 🙃

Basically I want everything but don't have the budget

That's exactly where I am

Actually lucy I love the idea of a wigwam of sweet peas either side - and if they fall under the category of illegal planting, I can always put them in the back garden instead 😉