Pub tub challenge

jaxx46

A friend of mine has recently become manager of a local pub, it has an outside seating area with a fair few tubs and troughs which were sadly neglected by the last tenants. I've had a poke around and apart from two geraniums and a rose the rest is weeds, now he wants me to plant them up :eek: As all the kind peeps who have helped me with plant i.d know, flowers are not really my thing. Obviously he's too late for trays of bedding plants so what can I use to brighten up this little courtyard now and cheaply. All suggestions gratefully recieved.

EmptyPockets

What an exciting challenge! Sorry I can't offer much help, I'm pretty new to all things greenfingered and when it comes to plants and flowers, am pretty clueless still But good luck with it, can you take some 'before' and 'after' pictures to let us see what you come up with?!

Emsky*

I'm not much help either as I've just started gardening, but I think it's a fab idea your friend has asked you to help. I'm sure someone will be along soon to help out with some ideas. Good Luck!"

GarnetLady

jaxx46 wrote: »

A friend of mine has recently become manager of a local pub, it has an outside seating area with a fair few tubs and troughs which were sadly neglected by the last tenants. I've had a poke around and apart from two geraniums and a rose the rest is weeds, now he wants me to plant them up :eek: As all the kind peeps who have helped me with plant i.d know, flowers are not really my thing. Obviously he's too late for trays of bedding plants so what can I use to brighten up this little courtyard now and cheaply. All suggestions gratefully recieved.

It's not too late for bedding plants. They're probably the best idea for quick colour. Just bear in mind most will have to be replaced next year.

westiea

hi
Not to late for bedding - I know my Morrisons still has trays of Salvia, Geraniums etc. Also the sheds still have some bedding (B and Q etc).

What is your budget and how big are the tubs and troughs?

As a rough guide you could plant Pansies/Violas and trailing Ivy through autumn winter with an underplant of dwarf Daffs (tete a tete are good), spring Crocus, Iris reticulata, and dwarf Tulips for spring colour

Busy Lizzies, Salvias, Pelargoniums etc with trailing lobelia through summer

In the long term some evergreens underplanted with some seasonal bedding could be more cost effective depending on pot sizes - though consideration should be given to the cigarettes stubbed out and the beer etc poured in so I would go with cheap evergreens. (e.g Euonymus, Hebe, Heucheras all available in a variety of colours)

Let us know sizes and we can take it futher if need.

jaxx46

Thanks for all the replies. There are four half barrels, two mini half barrels, two large ornamental plastic pots and four three foot troughs. Plus the rose, which I did give a sneaky trim back in Feb when we were there having a drink, am very please to see it in flower and growing well. Had a look in our b and q yesterday and the selection was very poor, will have a look at Morrisons tomorrow. I have got some hardy fuschias in my front garden which I thought I might take some cuttings from when the time is right (when is that?) for next year also have plenty of trailing ivy so shall rehome some of that. Am liking the idea of underplanting with spring bulbs ,thanks westea. Oh and the troughs are on the wall if that makes any difference.

Suzy_M

For next year consider perennials to reduce the replanting and also rockery plants and other drought-tolerant to reduce the watering.