Forum home› Plants

Help me choose a grand/colourful plant for the planter box

davidpapadavidpapa Posts: 11
in Plants
Hi guys,

Please refer to this thread:

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1014923/weak-messy-cordyline-australis-help#latest

As you can see, I currently have a large cordyline.  I'm not happy with this and want to replace it with a more vibrant plant which is very colourful and stands out from the crowd.

Can anyone please make any suggestions?  Btw, the planter box size is 1m by 1m.

Thanks everyone.
«1

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,507
    Cannas
  • UpNorthUpNorth Posts: 376
    Colourful..... For which part of the year?  Plants are generally green and sometimes all year, like your cordy. 

    You could ask the forum for purple/red leaved specimens.

    You could consider a sculpture if all year colour is a must.

    Cordyline is a good evergreen no trouble specimen and wont outgrow the space.... But either you like it or bin it, dont try and shape it 😀
  • davidpapadavidpapa Posts: 11
    K67 - I love that! But surely in a planter, I need to put in one main plant as a feature and maybe some cannas's around it?

    UpNorth - Mainly during Spring/Summer, although the longer the better.  I do like a smaller spiky cordyline, but this one is just too bushy and soft.  I can't wait another year and I'm looking for an instant impact plant feature.

    ......Any other recommendations?
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,266
    Acer
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • davidpapadavidpapa Posts: 11
    edited June 2018
    Acer? You mean like the Acer Purpureum??? If so, I already have one of these in a pot  :) - It's about 3ft in height, but still weak as it requires a bamboo stick to stabilise it.  How quick do they grow?
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,078
    Hello again davidpapa !!

    For foliage effect , have you considered a variegated Yucca ? Certainly a focal point in a planter , and maybe plant contrasting plants around it for the summer months at least .
  • davidpapadavidpapa Posts: 11
    Hi again Paul  :)

    The yucca is very similar to the cordyline IMHO. I'm looking for a large plant with vibrant colours or flowers for spring summer . Something like the Cannas or Acer. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,266
    Not that quick. I suppose it depends what size you start with.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • davidpapadavidpapa Posts: 11
    B3 said:
    Not that quick. I suppose it depends what size you start with.
    How can I make it more stable? If it's around 3ft, how long would it take for it's trunk to get thicker? 
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,266
    I suppose a good root system would help. Was the container quite shallow? Does it get enough light?
    I'm no expert. You could start another thread and someone will be able to give you good advice.
    Perhaps you could explain what you mean by more stable. Is it rocking or falling over?
    A photo would help too.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
Sign In or Register to comment.