Planters need filling

shazza 3

Hello all. I've recently emptied 4 pots that I want to fill with very hardy plants that are able to withstand being in an exposed site (I'll attach pics). I saw Juniperus squamata in a well known garden centre in April but didn't have my gift card with me at the time. I went back this week and there were none of these plants there at all, not even anything similar. They've got to be really hardy and not grow too tall either or they'll get battered by the wind/rain in the winter. The pots are really heavy and im not moving them on and off the patio. Can anyone suggest something similar in size to put in the planters ?? Thanks Shazza

Plantminded

@shazza 3, have a look at Ashwood nurseries’ website (ashwoodnurseries.com), they specialise in conifers and stock several varieties of Juniperus squamata.

Joyce Goldenlily

How about the horizontal growing rosemary. It copes with dry arid conditions and at this time of the year would look lovely in full flower against the slate and containers. Bees love it and it would only need the occasional tidy up.

Fairygirl

I think anything you plant in those containers will get some wind damage, so you'll have to accept that if it's very exposed, regardless of the hardiness. 
In a very exposed site, if you don't have a shelter belt, that's just what happens. It's why alpine plants are so low growing, so something like that's a better bet if you can't put in that protection.
Anything bigger will inevitably get damage, and if you've ever seen what happens to trees/shrubs at any altitude in exposed locations, they don't grow the way they would in a sheltered site. 

arossrob

I agree with Fairygirl. There was a gardening program years ago where a garden overlooking the sea near Dunbar East Lothian Scotland was beautiful in bloom but the owners said they had to replace every plant every year due to the salty air, cold and wind damage. At least this way you can have different plants every year.