Container gardening

Sassia

I posted this on another thread, but got no response, so trying here!

Does anyone have experience of container gardening? I have a greenhouse and temporary raised beds for veg, but no flower beds. I have a good few 6"-12" plastic pots that I could use to create some colour on the patio. We rent and aren't allowed to have beds, so anything that isn't on the gravel near the bottom of the lawn next to the greenhouse, has to be on the patio.

I've tried looking online to see plants that do well in containers, but so much of it is American and I'm pretty sure Essex doesn't have the same climate as California! so far, it seems Buddleja, Dahlia and Lavender does well (I already have two pots of lavender so I have that covered!), any other ideas? Also, I have no creativity in me at all so suggestions for how to group them and display the plants would be appreciated!

sheramber

6-12 inches is a bit small for bushes.

You could use bulbs for spring/summer colour.

Annuals would also work.

The little violas bloom for ages and look good packed together.

You can also grow herbs in pots.


Have a look round your local garden centre. They should be able to give you advice on what works best in your area.

Your local library should have gardening books giving ideas for planting / arranging containers.

Also gardening magazine often have articles about container gardening.

Sassia

Thanks, Sheramber. i am going to buy some bigger pots as i saw on GW that you can put a good few plants in a bigger one. I will take your advice about the library and garden centre. For some reason it didn't occur to me to go to a shop as i do all my gardening shopping online!

I have herbs in pots and have had them for years, but am clueless about flowers.

REEN

Pinterest is good for container ideas.

teddysmum

Aldi sell large self watering pots and some stores have them reduced,at the moment. I have several and find that begonias and geraniums do well in them. I also have metal trellis in two pots, with honeysuckle and jasmine growing up them.


My big problem is slugs, as I have dogs, so can't use pellets, as pots seem to be the ideal havens for the slimy beasts.

Sassia

teddysmum, I'm going to buy copper banding. A ring of that around the top of a planter/pot and no slugs!

Dizzy_Ditzy

Most of my garden is in pots

I have

Geraniums, in their own pots and in with verbena and lobelia

Palms of various types, sizes and colours

Red and green cordylines

Rhododendrons

Acers

Aloe vera plants of varying sizes, shapes and varieties

Banana plants

Fruit trees

Raspberries, blueberries and blackcurrants

Red robin

And a few other things that I can't remember the names of



The best thing you can do is look around. At garden centres, supermarkets and even in other peoples gardens as you're out and about

Dizzy_Ditzy

Sassia wrote: »

teddysmum, I'm going to buy copper banding. A ring of that around the top of a planter/pot and no slugs!

Try if you can not to buy pots with "lips", the slugs mad snails hide underneath them then come out for a munch when you're asleep :mad:

colinS

You haven't made it clear what you intend to grow mostly - vegetables or flowers. I grow mostly vegetables, and I managed to get quite a lot of second hand tubs last year, many of them quite large. I have runner beans in about five large planters, and I have grown broccoli and cauliflowers successfully in other tubs. For a temporary raised bed this old post of mine might interest you.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3341292


Potatoes, carrots, cumbers, cabbages, and courgettes are in other planters - all growing in leaf mould.

Francesanne

I have several large pots of Calla Lilies in various colours and they're beautiful. Also appearing to be slug & snail proof(so far so good). Bought them last year from Morrison's (£5.00 a pot) and was thrilled when I saw they'd got through the winter safely. They're still available in Morrison's. Bought a beautiful yellow pot only last week. Highly recommend them.