Ideas wanted for a shrub in a tub

Farway

As many may know, I volunteer with a border/ plant patch locally

Approaching the door, and alongside the building wall we have large tubs, normally planted with whatever is going cheap in Morries etc

However, two tubs have Salvia Hot lips in them, which do well

The area is sheltered by the building, and we are in souther Hampshire, so nothing drastic with the weather

There is one more large tub which has had various plants in, fuchsia etc, none of which have really thrived, and I'm looking for a good "doer" like Hotlips but ideally not another salvia

Any ideas?  Would like long flowering period, tough, easy care and able to withstand neglect,and fag ends

Does such a shrub exist?

ArbitraryRandom

I'm assuming you've considered the default council planter options (lavender, rosemary, verbena)... Some other things I've seen work in tubs and that might contrast nicely with hot lips would be Bluebeard (caryopteris), Cotton Lavender (santolina) or rock rose (Cistus)

Farway

ArbitraryRandom said:

I'm assuming you've considered the default council planter options (lavender, rosemary, verbena)... Some other things I've seen work in tubs and that might contrast nicely with hot lips would be Bluebeard (caryopteris), Cotton Lavender (santolina) or rock rose (Cistus)

Thanks Arbs, some well worth looking into there, I should have said we already have lavender & rosemary elsewhere

I'll check if Morries have any on Friday, keeping cost down being a cheapskate

YoungBlueEyes

It’s not in a pot but this is what my council have outside their office - 

twopenny

My ever useful perennial wallflowers flower all year and quickly grow small shrub like.
Silver Charm is the best doer. It seeds around and takes easily from cuttings.
Mine cost about less than this so good value after 2 years.
https://www.bomagardencentre.co.uk/product/erysimum-winter-charm-pot-size-2ltr-perennial-wall

I've also got the giant wallflowers in a large pot. About £1,50 for 10 at this time of year. Otter nurseries.
They've survived a season in friends garden and self sown. Highly scented too. In Somerset they bloom most of the year.

Cuttings/seeds from parent shoved carefully planted in other parts of the border will bring on replacements if the local behaviour is particularly vigorous.

Or Heucheras. Morres or Tesco have done those. Lots of colour all year. Mix them up. They flower and are virtually bomb proof.

Farway

Tanks everyone, I'm hoping to get to Morries on Friday so will check out for those mentioned

twopenny

Morries here had the everlasting Wallflowers at a decent price today.....so surprised as it's a relatively new plant.

Loved the colours and nearly came away with a couple!

The mixed colours are best and nothing like 'Bowles Mauve' knowing how you love that

Farway

twopenny said:

Morries here had the everlasting Wallflowers at a decent price today.....so surprised as it's a relatively new plant.

Loved the colours and nearly came away with a couple!

The mixed colours are best and nothing like 'Bowles Mauve' knowing how you love that

Right, fingers crossed for tomorrow. I may pick up [or at least glance at] grow bags while I'm there.

GreenBucket24

Farway said:

The area is sheltered by the building, and we are in souther Hampshire, so nothing drastic with the weather

There is one more large tub which has had various plants in, fuchsia etc, none of which have really thrived, and I'm looking for a good "doer" like Hotlips but ideally not another salvia

When you described as 'sheltered', is this south facing? north? west? or east facing? I asked as there are many plants that live better based on the aspects and exposure to sunlight or partial light. Is your larger tub in the same area?

Farway

GreenBucket24 said:

Farway said:

The area is sheltered by the building, and we are in souther Hampshire, so nothing drastic with the weather

There is one more large tub which has had various plants in, fuchsia etc, none of which have really thrived, and I'm looking for a good "doer" like Hotlips but ideally not another salvia

When you described as 'sheltered', is this south facing? north? west? or east facing? I asked as there are many plants that live better based on the aspects and exposure to sunlight or partial light. Is your larger tub in the same area?

It's an L corner of the building, facing mainly East so bakes in morning before sun moves over the building, loads of daylight, sheltered from West & Southerly wind, rain, or snow

Residual heat from the building walls

Ideal for something like tomatoes sort of spot, but not them or other fruits because they get pinched.

Dustyevsky

An Acca would give you flowers and fruit. Most people don't know it, so more chance of keeping the fruit! Around the edges, how about undemanding Heliathemums?