ideas for a container on a SW facing wall

debanslow

Hi there,

I am looking for some ideas for what to put in a lovely wooden trelis planter box I have just been given. I wanted to place in on a SW facing wall, under my kitchen window, (so climb must be no higher than 3ft). Hopefully year round interest, hardy, fool proof and with very little shelter. I was hoping for a camelia or rhodo, (something I presume won't grow well in my neutral soil)

Any ideas?

Thanks

kate1123

I am a little confused, are you looking for a climber. Are you planning on using ericaceous compost?

I would go for lavender and an  annual climbers  morning glory? Or an evergreen clematis-freckles?

debanslow

I'm looking for inspiration so open to all ideas, wanted something quite showy and I detest the smell of lavender (I know, I'm weird) hehe. So a mini climber or evergreen shrub or perennial but defo something that will thrive in a pot

Thanks

kate1123

Well if it is showy you want, did you see this.

http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/plants/hanging-basket-trial/3576.html

quercus_rubur

The planter box will restrict the size of whatever you grow in it. Sounds like you would like to grow a Camelia or Rhodo. I have both growing in planters - the rhodo's been in for over 20 years and still looks magnificent every March/April. The camelia's about 8 years old and this year flowered from late March and has only just stopped. I repot them about every 5 years. They both like shade at some point in the day and need to be kept moist, especially at the roots. I feed them once during flowering and once in the Autumn with an ericaceous feed - oh and they like spent coffee grains. While they are both evergreen, the flowering periods aren't that long. I too would recommend Clematis Freckles, but there are other small clematis you can grow this site gives them by height so could be worth a look http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/

 

auntie betty

My MIL has a lovely yellow azalea in a pot thats been thriving for years. We planted it in 50:50 ericaceous compost and john innes, and she only ever waters it with rainwater to keep the acidity up. She also feeds it with miracle grow every year both before and after flowering and occasionally gives the leaves a spritz with half-strength tomato food. It flowers forever. Cant remember what variety it is... I chose it for her because yellow was so unusual to find.  Its now about 1m height and spread.

figrat

As it's going to be under your kitchen window, in a site which sounds as though it would suit Mediterranean plants, what about perennial herbs? There are some very decorative thymes and sages, and rosemary can be quite substantial. All are evergreen.

debanslow

Thanks guys, all fab ideas, thinking about maybe roses and a heuchera. Or maybe an azalea, thanks for tips