What can I plant in these small pots next to Brick Wall

FrankFalcon

Hi all.

We had an extension built but the pattern imprinted concrete was damaged when digging footings. We filled the concrete in and tried to make it look like the original but it stands out a bit. Therefore, we are going to put some planters with flowers in over the concrete. You can see from the picture that the planters are not really deep. Don’t know if it alters anything but I’ll say anyway… the Sun rises at the rear of the house and moves round to that side of the house (where the planters are) about 2pm - 4pm.

I’m looking for some colourful flowers/plants that don’t require a lot of effort. It’d be a bonus if I could just plant them, watch them flower and hardly ever do anything to them again.

Is this even possible in such a planter that’s not very deep?

Thanks in advance.

teaselMay

If they're going right against the wall they'll not get much rain because they'll be sheltered by the roof overhang as you can see on the concrete in the photo.

FrankFalcon

never thought of that! Thank you.

twopenny

My experience says, you won't like this, that those planters are neither used nor ornament. Sorry.

And having them against brick and paving at the hottest time of day will mean mostly daily attention.

Can you find something made of a stone like substance, put it on pot feet for drainage and you'll need a good quality compost.

Sink a water bottle with the end cut off into the centre to water easily..

Some tough grasses come in different colour foliage and need watering once a week in summer. Add a little liquid feed to that once a fortnight.

Or you could fill with mixed pebbles for no attention.

fatbelly

Hmm. They will get the afternoon sun and they are black, so will get hot and dry out quickly. That will get even worse with many of the new peat-free composts as they don't hold much water. Having said that, there are plants for every situation.

Nasturtiums can cope with hot and dry, lots of coloured flowers and impressive on a salad!

Emmia

I'd be looking at pots with integrated reservoirs for water. I have black Elho Greenville planters on a patio, in a variety of sizes.

https://amzn.eu/d/0fGK2Eak

Albermarle

Most plants that come back year after year ( perennials) will probably not survive the Winter in those small planters, as they will be too exposed if there is a hard frost.

So probably annual plants will be better, even though you would have to plant new ones each year ,and water them regularly in hot spells. One issue could be is that sun loving plants would not do that well on only two hours a day, especially as it is not sunny all the time in the UK ! On the other hand plants that are described as doing best in semi shade, are best getting their dose of sun in the morning or evening, not at the hottest time of day.

Pelargoniums ( known as geraniums to most people) could be a possibility. They are reasonably drought tolerant and seem to prefer being in small pots/containers. The zonal ones only need some sun in the day. They will flower all Summer and into Autumn. The zonal ones are the ones most people will think of when they think of geraniums. They are cheap to buy and available at all garden centres/nurseries.

Geranium Grandeur Power Mixed | J Parker Dutch Bulbs

twopenny

I'm not sure what you are trying to cover up. The repair looks good to me.

Certainly better than small cheap plastic containers that you don't want to maintain.

Could you put a bench there if it really offends you? Could be just a thin one . So many options with a search

Rosa_Damascena

Ivy doesn't flower but it does thrive along walls. It is a bloomi' menace 😕

Dustyevsky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82008059#Comment_82008059

Ivy does flower, and from a wildlife perspective it's valuable, but probably out of context here.

Personally, I'd go for large fake lead planters either side of 2p's seat, but a seat's desirability would depend on aspect and whether other places would be better for siting it.

FrankFalcon

Thanks all.

I’ve learned a lot. Also, agree that these cheap, plastic planters are not the best option. The path narrows, so a bench wouldn’t be appropriate but it’s a great suggestion. Yeah, I’m gonna lot reservoir pots and try geraniums.
cheers all. Enjoy the sunshine peeps.