What to plant in patio containers

[ThreeRingCircus]

I don't have huge garden, most of it is concrete and only one border so I am trying to build up a collection of plants in large pots (45 cm plus). So far I have some bamboo in a sunny corner, a hydrangea in a part shade corner and fatsia japonica in deep shade.

I've got a couple of spots in the garden I could add more containers but on opposite sides. One west facing that is shady in the morning but in full sun most of the day and into the evening in the summer. Ideally I'd like something evergreen here or nice to look at as it's got a clear view from the kitchen window.

The other spot is east facing and sunny in the morning but shady by midday as the house casts a shadow over it.

Ideally I'd like something with as much year round interest as possible but that's good for the bees too. The one border in my garden contains a lot of evergreen shrubs great for low maintenance but I'd like to encourage more wildlife.

Does anyone have any bright ideas or suggestions of what could work?

Bay tree, evergreen for all year interest and you get fresh bay leaves.

And have a look at:
www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/wildlife/top-10-patio-plants-for-bees

You could fill a container with ericaceous compost and grow a small Azalea or Rhododendron. I have an Azalea called Johanna, which has red flowers in late spring and leaves that change colour in the autumn, it’s also evergreen. Go for a wider, less deep container though as they have shallow roots.

Roses.
Clematis / jasmine/ honeysuckle (simple put in a frame for them to climb)
Ornamental Grasses
Ferns
Spring/summer/autumn bulbs
Acer tree
Dwarf ornamental cherry
Fruit trees - eg apple/pear, probably a dwarf variety
Topiary
Blueberry / blackcurrant / redcurrant
Herbs
Strawberries (can also be grown in hanging baskets)

When you grow small trees/ shrubs/ bushes in pots, you can also scatter some seeds - calendula, nigella, cali poppies etc. provides nice interest in early spring.
Also bamboo. Ugh. Beautiful, yes, but please be wary. Even in a pot. Lift it up low and then to make sure roots (rhizomes) aren't coming out the bottom. From someone who dug out their bamboo 5 years ago and is still finding babies 🤣🤣

A flowering shrub in a ‘standard’ shape so that you can underplant with bulbs or bedding plants (or perennials like low growing geranium). Maybe a ceanothus? Or photinia?

Oh yes, the bamboo is in a terracotta pot sat on concrete.... there's no way I'm risking it getting near soil 🤣

As a few have said, a shrub underplanted with bulbs or other plants is something I hadn't thought about, that's a good idea!

For all season interest I think you can't beat acer sango kaku. Bright red stems in winter, lovely autumn colour, beautiful leaves in spring and summer.

I suggested Pieirs japonica on another thread on this topic, and am going to suggest it here too!

Thank you for this, I found one in the garden centre today so it's now going to have pride of place on my patio! Would never have thought of an acer, thank you.

Ooh, lovely. Mine's looking so beautiful right now, I'm hoping to get many more this year!