Container plants

bermary

Hello everyone,I have several containers in my garden which at present have in them plants such as lilies and phlox none did really well last year the lily leaves were full of holes and the phlox leaves covered in a white powder looking coating,now I know not one thing about gardening and not in the best of health but I would like to put in these pots something that will give plenty of colour and not be suseptible to diseases, somethings I would like to to stand upright in the pots and others to trail over the sides,any help would be appreciated. Thankyou.

Linda32

If you can get to a garden centre, have a look out for pansys, violas, million bells or petunias. These all come in a variety of colours and are pretty simple to look after. Just plant them and give the a drink each day if its really sunny. Every other day if its not that hot.

I'm afraid if it has been raining, that does not count as them having been watered. The rain does not fall where you want it to.

Then to trail you might find some plants labelled as "basket plants" this is not the name of a particular plant more a collective term for plants suitable for baskets, most of which will trail. Or you could just ask for what you want. Plant these type of plants around the edge so that they trail down the sides. Ivy is a pretty simple one.

HTH

malebolge

The holes in your lilies will probably be down to lily beetles. Evil little red beasts.
OK - so before I say anything that's worked for me - I'll mention a few that do get pests. Trailing fuchias are lovely, but in containers do attract vine weevil grubs that demolish them. Geraniums are beautiful too, but can be eaten by caterpillars.

Here are some suggestions that I grow in containers that seem to thrive:
petunia surfinia/million bells. Lots of colour & just needs deadheading. (annual)
New Guinea inpatiens. Not affected by busy lizzie blight if they're new guinea/sunpatiens varieties. Variety of colours to choose from (annual)
Osteospermum. have grown these successfully of a few years - just keep coming up again (perennial)
Dianthus - as above.
Spray chrysanthemums - as above. Have taken loads of cuttings off these so have filled lots of containers.
Diascia - as above. Lots of teeny pretty flowers. Will fill a tub with colour.
Penstemon - as above. Good to have in the middle of a pot with something trailing round the outside.

Just a few suggestions. I grow a lot of things in tubs (well over 100 tubs at the last count) and tend to have a succession of bulbs..flowers so that I get colour all year round. From how you describe yourself - I'd suggest going for some bulbs, then a perennial mix so that your tubs only need minimal maintenance and are planted up for a few years. You will need to feed them and make sure they don't get pot bound.

With bulbs, I go for ones whose leaves won't look too straggly for ages when the flowers have died, so only have a few daffs/tulips. I've a lot of alliums, anemones, crocus and for summer, ranunculus.