clootie Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I have two tall, square tapered black ceramic planters and I need some suggestions as to what to put in them. I've bought some pots to fit inside them and painted them black. I would really like to have a real splash of colour, maybe just one species of plant? I'm not a frilly frou frou kinda girl and prefer structural plants but I think I really need a strong colour in these pots which is why I stood in the garden centre yesterday, looking at flowers and feeling totally confused as I haven't a clue what to buy!! I look at bay trees, gunnera, box etc. so pretty summer flowering plants are alien to me!! Any help or suggestions as to what would look fab in these pots would be gratefully received from all you lovely green fingered members!! PS. I'm heading out tomorrow or Friday to do the deed (buying them and planting up) so I'm running out of time - sorry !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Some sort of fushia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 A small Olive tree Palms look nice too in them with a few coloured chippings scattered over the soil. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Callistemon are very pretty (bottle brush plant) you can train them as small standards (or large ones - mine is about 10ft tall!) Yucca look good in tall pots especially the verigated types Eriobotrya Japonica makes a lovely bush and is a stunning plant but is plain green Fatsia Japonica always looks healthy no matter what you throw at it! Cordyline come in lots of different shades of foilage from green to dark reds as do Phormiums Camelias are a classy safe bet just be sure you use ericacious compost! Bamboos? small tree ferns? You can always underplant structural plants with seasonal colour If you make the main plant a colourful one such as a ginger lily or Canna you will only have part of the year with colour so coloured foilage may be a good bet or go green with underplanting Check out these people for structural plant inspiration http://www.architecturalplants.com/ I love structural plants too, we had a subtropical garden when we lived in Bristol and it was the most amazing looking garden I hope the new owner is looking after it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks everyone. I've bookmarked that website Redwing - amazing plants on there, thank you. I'm leaning towards camelia at the moment. I like the idea that it's a safe bet and I know they come in an array of colours. It has to be a bright colour that makes an impact as they will be the first thing you see as you drive down to the house. Most of the plants in the garden are flowering shrubs but they are all at the back of the house. I forgot to mention that the planters will be north facing - hope that doesn't make a difference to life. Thank you for all your suggestions so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I have a beautiful bleeding heart plant at the front of the house, it grows quite tall - 60 cm and it flowers again if you prune it once the first ones are finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 How very coincidental I found a tall bright blue triangular ceramic planter that I had forgotten about today & was wondering what to put in it. Its a gorgeous thing, but will look daft without just the right plant in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Also try www.crocus.com Watch camellias if you are going to put the pot somewhere where it might catch the frost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Have a look at a bright red quince. Saw one at afriends house yesterday and it was stunning Jx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus Arran Chooks Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 (edited) What about Hostas? They are pretty structural which you like and come in various leaf shapes/sizes/colours and through off lovely lilac spears of flowers (my favourites). I was also going to suggest Fatsia Japonicas... Anjx Edited April 22, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I'd have some tumbling tomatoes or strawberries - I like my pretty plants to taste good, same as I like my pets to lay eggs!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 How about a Canna or two These are fabulous and come in reds and oranges Cannas are easily grown tender perennials with architectural foliage and brash flowers that inject a dash of exotica. They can be grown in large containers or as focal points in sub-tropical schemes. They add shape and colour to the end of the summer season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Ooh yes! Cannas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I've narrowed it down and my shortlist is: ClaireG's fuschia, Redwings's camelia, Jackipoppies quince, AAC's hosta and DAs canna. Not that all the others weren't inspired but I've chosen these for colour (maybe the hosta might be too pale?) I'll check them out today. I'd still be floundering without your help so, thank you all very much indeed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Don't forget we'll need pics when they're all beautifully planted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 You can lots of different varieties and shades of hostas.....I love the shape of them. This site has lots of examples (I haven't used it - just looked at the phots for reference ) https://www.bowdenhostas.com/categories/Hostas-by-Colour/Blue/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 The hostas made it home with me Anj! Tried to find canas - none anywhere close by and as I'm in a hurry ........ Camelias and quince needed framework behind the planter ............ (quince for a later date though, it's gorg ) Fuschia, a wee bit too pretty for me ............. The hostas are lovely, variegated (sp?) leaves and will have lilac flowers hopefully. Should look great in the black planters and what with my love of structural plants and foliage, they hit the spot !! I didn't realise there were so many varieties either Poached !! Thanks for the website details, this could be the start of my hosta garden!! Thank you again to everyone who took the trouble to suggest various plants for me. Your time was very much appreciated. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Slugs LURVE Hostas BUT as you have them in tall planters you've already won the battle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 and they are very slippery planters so it should be amusing to watch them try !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus Arran Chooks Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Wow, I am really pleased that you like my idea sooo much! I dont know what it is about them, I just think they are the business! I even dug one up from my garden when I left Aberdeenshire! I too would love a garden full of different types. There is a gorgeous one called fire and ice. Try putting vaseline round the rim of your planter - that will stop the slippery little suckers Mind you, dont your hens eat all your slugs? Im away to look to look at pochedeggs link and drool... No maintenance needed really just a good watering in the really dry weather! Anj arriving 12th May Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
