top 10 perennials for pots
top 10 perennials for pots
Whether you’re trying to brighten up your patio or you just simply don’t have the room to grow a lot of plants in the ground, container gardening is the answer! Pots are much easier to maintain and can effortlessly be moved around as and when you want to without having to dig plants up. They’re an essential part of any garden and allow you to create wonderful displays without much hassle at all, let's discover our top 10 perennials for pots.
Penstemon
Penstemon provide a late hit of colour from summer right through to the first frosts, whilst normally, they are a fantastic, hardy perennial for covering large areas in your borders, there are more compact varieties perfect for pots too! From the likes of Penstemon Etna, Apple Blossom and Pensham Wedding Day all around a neat 60-80cm H&S.
Alstroemeria
From tall and small varieties, Alstroemeria are the gift that keeps giving. With a fantastic array of colours available AND long flowering time, this is a plant you should consider container growing. Normally, you can grab these as potted plants during the summer months, or if you fancy more of a gardening challenge whilst also saving money, then perhaps bare roots in the springtime are for you! (Plus they look fab in a vase too)
Patio Clematis
Not all Clematis are suitable for containers BUT there are some new, compact varieties emerging that make the perfect addition for pots. Clematis Lindsay and Guernsey Flute for example, they get no larger than 1.2m to 1.5m and just need a chop back to 30cm in the spring. Simple and colourful repeat flowering magic!
Perennial Cosmos
Cosmos come in many shapes and forms, from the fluffy foliage of annual varieties to hardy perennials. None are more exciting and colourful as Cosmos 'Cherry Chocolate'. Introduced to RHS Chelsea 2024, this rare and unusual Cosmos is the FIRST cherry coloured, chocolate scented variety, well-suited to small spaces as they only reach a neat and petite height of 45cm and spread of 30cm. Plus, they're hardy down to -10°C, with unmatched blooms prolifically flowering from June to September (and beyond in milder autumns!).
Dahlia
If colour choice is important for your container gardens, then you can't go wrong with Dahlias! Ranging from pinks, reds, yellows, oranges, white and beyond, this is a winner in our books! Keeping them in containers also means you're able to manage the watering (being they can be susceptible to rot in heavy clay gardens), keep at bay from slugs and easily store away for the winter. One of our favourites for pots is Dahlia '15 Love' a vibrant orange bloom that appears July to October, with contrasting dark green to plum foliage from April.
Nemesia Melody
Exceptional fragrance, and prolific flowering makes this Nemesia a must-have for your pots and borders. The Nemesia ‘Melody’ series is a relatively new introduction, that's been tried and tested over several years, and we can confirm it is a true hardy perennial. You can enjoy blooms at to 8 months of the year in a selection of magnificent colours! Not one to miss.
Salvia
Salvias are a great addition for containers and borders, whilst there are more compact petite variety, if you're on the hunt for a statement piece then keep reading...Salvia Blue Butterflies is a unique perennial with arrow-shaped foliage, and desirable blue blooms. Whilst they reach up to 1.2m, this will provide you with height and interest during the summer and early autumnal months. Be mindful they're only hardy down to -5°C, making it easier to move and protect from frosts during winter as they'll already be planted in pots. It's always best to take cuttings of more tender perennials as a bit of an insurance policy AND more plants to enjoy the following year!
Lavender
A staple for cottage gardens and creating fragrant, floral pathways, Lavender are equally as enjoyable in containers too. They'll really enjoy being potted in terracotta pots, due to the porous material, they'll breathe a little bit better during wetter months. Have you thought about changing it up and moving from classic lilac to pinks? Just have a look at this lovely Lavandula 'Rosea.'
Agapanthus
You can be spoilt for choice with Agapanthus, whilst they do well in the ground, they are a favourite in containers too. Stately spikes of firework-like blooms make the perfect feature for your summer garden. We're particularly taken with 'Agapanthus 'Black Jack', a gorgeous, compact variety (H&S 60cm) with deepest purple flowers, it was even announced 'Plant of the Year' at the prestigious 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Relatively tough too, it can tolerate winters down to -10°C.
Erysimum
Perennial wallflowers can be the gift that keeps on giving. With flowering times ranging from the earliest spring right up the first frosts and beyond! An excellent patio plant that, not only are a favourite for the bees, but for sensory gardens too, with some varieties delighting you with an intense fragrance. Plus, they come in a range of colours to suit the style of most gardens!
