IN THIS GUIDE
You ’ve bought a bunch of pots for plants , quick to put your green fingers to work and get a vibrant green flourish to your home .
But perchance you ’re wondering which plant are best for those pots ?
This is a question with surprisingly varied answers : “ the best ” depend on what you ’re essay to do , for starter .
Are you looking for plants for hatful in full sunlight , or for shade - loving plant for container ?
Are you look for flower works for pot , or something evergreen plant to assure color year - round ?
Whatever pot - establish need you ’re aiming to meet , we ’ve written this pathfinder to point you in the direction of the best plants to aid you get there .
“ Because of my own background , I started with growing in pots , I ’ve made sure that pot are my focal point , ” shares Our Plant Stories ’ Sally Flatman .
“ Most plants can be grown in lot even if this is n’t forever . ”
Do n’t be put off by pot growing .
Situating Your Plants
The great out-of-doors is the best lieu for plant life .
It ’s where they belong to , and the circumstance are most often right for them to flourish .
“ I conceive the mystery is to figure out the condition of where the pot will be ( sun or shade , exposed or sheltered ) and then find industrial plant to fit , ” share Sunil Patel who own the garden at 13 Broom Acres .
“ plant that remain exclusive to peck in the garden are those that we necessitate to move into a greenhouse or even indoors for winter protection .
“ Among these are a Strelitzia ( Bird of Paradise ) , lemongrass and lots of various sedums and succulents . ”
If you ’re look for plants to fill your outdoor space – whether it ’s a garden , a balcony , a mend of pavement , or anything in between – we ’ve got you cover up .
In the sections below we ’ll explore the most commonly requested types of plants for outdoor green goddess , then give our favourite recommendations for each .
This leaning is not exhaustive !
You have scores of options for outside plant , so if you do n’t encounter something you wish here , keep looking .
Hardy Plants For Pots
These hardy plants are those that can hold their own in down temperatures .
And let ’s face up it : In the UK , where our weather flits between one extreme and another , hardy plants are a good bet .
1) Bay Tree
If you ’ve ever found an entire leaf in your curry , that was most likelybay leafage .
The fragrant flavour is commonplace in kitchen , and the plant makes a welcome accession to any British garden .
bay laurel uprise in pots or shaped containers like troughs and similar .
It responds to pruning , and can be shaped if you ’re interested in topiary .
This plant has a hardiness rating of H4 - 5 depending on where it ’s grow – it will be less stalwart in a container than it would be in the ground , and will get along slenderly well in shelter positions .
When tame a bay tree in a container , it like a grease - based compost with backbone for drainage .
You only need to irrigate somewhat , and you may apply liquid fertiliser fortnightly between May and September .
Repotting every two years helps this plant to thrive – aim to do that in spring .
2) Hebe ‘Pink Elephant’
Creamy pinko and super C give this sturdy evergreen an intriguing and tempting visual collection .
We love plants with strange pallet , and we urge this compactHebeto any budding nurseryman .
The ‘ Pink Elephant ’ has a hardiness valuation of H4 .
3) Geraniums
“ Of the hardy Geraniums , one with attractive dark foliage , calledG. pratense‘Storm Cloud ’ , is comparatively upright to suit a container , ” portion out Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish .
“ Some are more sprawling and well suited for use as ground cover . ”
4) Heather
Perennial Plants For Containers
Perennials come back class after twelvemonth , meaning that once you ’ve added them to your garden , you may enjoy them for a good amount of fourth dimension .
They ’re perfect for gardener who want to sound off back and enjoy their outdoor space , without the pressure of planting out a new batch of plant every time of year .
gratefully , there are plenty of perennials that grow well in pots and containers .
Here are a span of our favorite :
5) Peruvian Lily
A pillar in British garden , and a plant with modern varieties to put exciting fresh eddy on the traditional .
Offering a rainbow of red , orange , lily-livered , pink , or whitened , the Peruvian Lilyis a peachy option for any nurseryman .
Some potpourri – include ‘ Sonata ’ , ‘ friendly relationship ’ , ‘ Spitfire ’ , ‘ Tessa ’ , and more – have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit , marking them as particularly well suitable to gardens in our clean res publica .
Alstroemeria also make for great cutting if you need to grow new plants indoors , or give them as gifts .
A truly versatile works .
6) Lavender
Who does n’t love lavender ? We ’ll be honest , this is one of our preferred plants ever .
The mind - blowing spectrum of pinko and purple it bring , the unmistakable and bewitch scent , and the fact that bees ca n’t resist it .
All these factors combine to make lavender a rewarding and beautiful plus to any garden .
“ For many plants , include lavender , planting into a pot more than three time the root - orchis sizing could make the compost to sit too moist and finally the plant may rot , ” says Peter .
“ Therefore , I generally gravel to pots no more than twice the size of it of the original rootball . A wider mountain can allow for safe anchorage ground for taller plant life . ”
7) Canna Lily
Evergreen Plants For Pots
evergreen plant are the best plants for lot all year round .
Their foliage remains visually interesting throughout the year , and they do n’t require replanting or put back next season .
8) Temu
This evergreen shrub sports attractive blank flower in summertime and fall , with purple berries at the last of its flowering season .
It ’s received the RHS Award of Garden Merit ( AGM ) , signify its compatibility with UK rise conditions .
So if you ’re front for an evergreen that will flourish in pots in your garden , luma is a good bet .
In fact , luma is noted for its suitability for city courtyard , which may trap its sugared fragrance , and gardens , where your plant choices may be limited to those that can produce in containers .
This plant will keep produce for year to come , sometimes take on up to fifty years to reach its full superlative .
9) Round-Leaved Mint Bush
This evergreen shrub has endearing regal flush accent its aromatic green leaves .
It ’s evergreen , but not as fearless as some other evergreen .
For this ground it ’s recommend to take it indoors over wintertime .
10) Tawhiwhi
This attractive evergreen with creamy - green leaves and a faint honey - scent will grow well in containers .
Tall Plants For Pots
Sometimes industrial plant in pots serve well more than just esthetical roles .
They ’re neat for portable privacy screen in overlooked gardens or anywhere else you might feel a mo exposed .
Here are some marvelous plants for pots in your garden that will provide privacy and search endearing .
11) Bamboo
This plant life is renowned as one of the fastest - growing in the world , and with beneficial ground .
Planting outbamboo in containerscan give you a tall screen for privacy in just a couple of year .
Buy an already - prove bamboo plant for your container , and you may be behind its natural screen even quicker .
As well as assist with secrecy , bamboo is a broadly speaking striking works .
It brings a nuanced visual to out-of-door spaces and harkens to oriental scope .
Paired with the right plant life – or perhaps some nice fairy lights – bamboo can make an bewitching and exotic haven out of any out-of-door area .
12) Thuja
These evergreen tree can grow up to 60 thou mellow , in the correct condition .
Obviously , a container in your garden in all likelihood wo n’t bring home the bacon those condition , but they are known for their height and denseness still , both of which are properties contributive to seclusion in your garden .
“ If I had to pick only one , I would go forThuja occidentalis‘Pyramidalis Aurea ’ for its golden colour and conical shape , but you could make a collection of different Thuja hues and forms , ” pronounce Peter .
13) Bougainvillea
Best Plants For Pots In Full Sun
If you ’ve got a garden where blank space is at a agiotage , you may not have the luxury of putting your pots in the shade .
This section showcases a pair of plants that are quite happy sit down in full sunlight ; no nurseryman should be give behind just because their garden has no shady touch .
14) Pieris ‘Prelude’
Bundles of white lantern - shaped leafage grace this plant life ’s branches in spring , and we absolutely adore it .
This industrial plant will do well in full sun or partial shade , as long as it is shelter from the worst of the elements .
‘ overture ’ has been present the RHS Plants for Pollinators label , think of it ’ll pull in bees and other important pollen collectors to your garden .
If you ’re count for colourful buds and bombilate company in your garden , you ca n’t go far faulty with this plant .
15) Little Linda
A compact Kalmia with a genuinely stunning flushed bloom giving way to a calmer but no - less - striking pink .
It ’s rare to find a works with such a characterful colour visibility .
We call back you ’ll fuck Little Linda .
16) Eternal Fragrance
This Daphne variety produces prissy ashen , fragrant prime throughout spring and summer months , even into fall .
It ’s semi - evergreen , and will grow well in full sunlight or partial nicety .
Shade-Friendly Plants For Pots
On the other side of the coin , some of us with modest gardens are n’t lucky enough to have a spot that find reliable sunlight .
If this is the font , you necessitate plant that can thrive in partial or constant tint .
Thankfully , there are plenty of subtlety - loving plant for containers to choose from .
A low garden that does n’t get sun is n’t the curse it initially seems to be .
17) Plantain Lily
There are many diversity of hosta , the Brobdingnagian majority of which thrive in shady conditions .
These plants are better than fair at appeal slugs and snails , those prevalent pesterer that threaten gardener across the country .
If you choose a hosta for your garden , be sure to take special precaution against these slimy intruders .
18) Creeping Jenny
Lysimachiais a low - growing works with leave that spill downward to make a pleasing optic effect .
They ’re popular amongst gardener with shady spot that demand filling , and for practiced intellect .
19) Trailing Lobelia
A lot of plants fall underthe Lobelia umbrella , but this trailing variety bestow itself dead to hang basketful .
If you ’re reckon for trailing plants for muckle in your garden , this is an fantabulous choice .
The bold and spectacular purple - megrims are just lovely to see at , too .
Whilst on the subject of shade , the Rhododendron further on in this usher will suit a shaded status .
Best Flowering Plants For Pots
Not all gardeners require plants that put forth flowers , but to us , a colourful bloom is one of the most rewarding aspects of horticulture .
This segment introduces some plants whose bouquets will impress even the most reluctant flower fancier .
20) Lily Of The Nile
accord to some nurseryman , this plant has the interesting holding of flowering more when its roots are restricted , making it perfect for deal .
This does n’t imply you should have the plant get pot - bound – you still need to take the relevant precaution and repot occasionally – but you’re able to get away with leaving it a little longer than you would otherwise .
look on the variety you choose , Agapanthuscan bring depressed , white , purple , or various other colours to your outdoor blank .
They ’re a various works that will reward any nurseryman who incorporates it into their potted industrial plant repertory .
“ Look for your single multifariousness ’s hardiness rating to settle whether it can be left outside over winter , ” Peter advises .
“ If it is H3 , be sure to move the potentiometer under cover during the colder months . ”
21) Rose ‘Munstead Wood’
A sturdy rose with a abstruse - pink bloom .
This deciduous flower will add striking semblance to your garden in summertime and autumn , and flourish in container .
22) Yakushima Rhododendron
This vibrant rhododendron has variety show in a range of warm tincture .
It remains visually interesting after flowering with attractive foliation , unlike some other plants in this family , which are noted for being a bit dull between flowering season .
Also try theRhododendron‘Dopey ’ for containers for this reason , as it does n’t neutralize space when out of bloom of youth .
23) Begonia
24) African Daisy
25) Fuchsia
26) African Marigold
27) Dahlias
Top Of The Pots
After reading our guide to the best plant for grass and containers , you should have a jolly good idea of some of the choice uncommitted to you .
Pots and container are a great way to expand your outdoor space , but the container size of it also matters , as Peter shares :
“ Not all pots are created equal . I care to prefer tall flock , which may hold wet easily , for plants likeClematis , which apprise these conditions .
“ I wish to experiment with mixtures of pots and detect that a grouping fit best if it portion out one thing in common , be it a colouration , fabric , plant , or shape . Otherwise , unless it ’s your intention , it can look a bit … er … enamored ! ”
A small garden , or even an confine concrete balcony , need n’t be a hinderance to your green fingers .
plant out in pots is rewarding whether you have one solitary plant outside your front doorway , or a bustling garden with many weed spill forth with varied and visually exciting flora .
We conceive that anyone should be able-bodied to take plant to their outdoor space , whatever it looks like .
With that in mind , we trust you enjoyed our guide , and that you feel inspired to go off and flowerpot plant to your nitty-gritty ’s content .
