Giant pots - planting suggestions please

deborahyuill2

Hello everyone. I have just made a fairly formal seating area in my garden, with a small rectangular pond, pebbled area and table and chairs. There is a large and well shaped sumac by the table, but not much else in the way of planting (or soil). I have also inherited some huge white stone pots, and wanted some suggestions as to what to grow in them, so they can add a bit of greenery and colour - are they better as mixed planting, or a single specimen, eg a tree or shrub?
The garden faces west, I am in the south east, and the area gets sun most of the day, but especially in the afternoons.

Thank you!

AnniD

Hello Deborah 
Can you give some idea of the size of the pots (height and diameter) ? A photo would also help if you can provide one.

Fire

It does depend what you are looking for - permanent tree/shrub? Summer floral explosion? Evergreen foliage?

If you want high colour for the colour, a range of dahlias can be lovely in a big pot. It's possible to lift the tubers and plant a winter array and spring bulbs in the autumn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NxdDK3oQvE

Posy

Understanding of 'huge' varies. Is it possible to be more specific? And could you/would you want to move them if you planted something tender?

Fairygirl

As @AnniD says @deborahyuill2 , knowing the size of the pots is important for offering suggestions, especially if you intend having shrubs or trees in them long term, and especially if they're in a sunny site. 
They'll need more care than in the ground. Watering, in particular, and also the soil mix. Compost is no use unless it's just annuals, or anything staying there for one season, as it doesn't have enough sustenance