Plant for a fairly large pot help

Fairytrail Bride Cascade Hydrangea.

I was told by an assistant that a rhododendron wouldn't grow well in a pot? Luap. MynamestakenI have lots of lavender bushes throughout the garden so didn't want any more.

I've got a hydrangea in a large pot by the front door and also an olive tree in another pot. We're on the west side of the country on a very exposed site which is blasted by the wind. Both are thriving (even though I often forget to water them!)

I second a hydrangea in a pot . Ours is at the front door facing north and not far from Scotland

I've got an olive tree in a large pot. I've had it two years, left it outside both winters and it's seems fine. I do have it in a sheltered spot though.

I wanted a hydrangea and the assistant said it would die! I might get a hydrangea and replace the rose with it.

I don't have acer's in a pot but I do have them in the 2 beds just outside my front windows. They have been there for 10 years and are about 4 feet high. I keep them clipped and at that height as I don't want the light blocked in the windows. I live in central Scotland too, #Grandmabatty. We also live on a hill and both beds are north east facing so I will have the same issues as you. Both of them are Tangerine Dream (I think) and have beautiful leaves every spring. I'm not sure how they would fare with the roots restricted but they are really beautiful.

My current favourite shrub is Photinia Pink Crispy. I also love Skimmia ( one of the few plants that will grown in my shady garden.

I love my Pieris and it constantly changes colour

Some more lovely suggestions. Thank you all. Looks like I'm going to need a bigger garden!

Grandmabatty, take the background colour into consideration. I noticed a house in the neighbourhood that has two lovely forsythias in pots; they are stunning against their grey house! Beautiful when blooming, and lovely with the pale green foliage during the summer.

What colour is your house and door?

How about a Sorbaria? Their leaves in Spring are superb, beautiful pink and bright yellowish green, and they can grow in a large pot in the sun. In fact it is better to have them in a pot as they can throw up suckers in the open ground and become a thicket! They have fluffy white flowers in early summer, but are not evergreen.

I have Sorbaria Sem in the open ground, but I have given suckers to my siblings who grow them in pots and they have had no problems with them. If they grow too large you can cut them back, but Sem is quite a small(ish) variety anyway. I've attached a link, but they are quite widely available from many garden centres now.

www.bluebellnursery.com/Sorbaria/5743348-Sorbaria-sorbifolia-Sem.html

This link shows the flowers:
www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=5471

In the Autumn, the leaves go bright burnt red as an added bonus!

This is my Pieris, which I’ve had for many years and is quite beautiful. However, they prefer a shadier position. Mine is East facing so gets only morning sun.

Canadiangran my door is black and the walls are pale brown/beige. Ask Alice thank you very much for your help

You're very welcome!

A single box in a pot will not do well in OP's location. Susceptible to wind burn. How about a photonia, they come in all styles and are evergreen.

Best advice is to Google for outdoor plant recommendations for your region. You can look at pictures too.

I’m not sure if this would work for your area (as I’m in the US - Great Lakes region) but I’ve gotten away from fancy flower pots - too much maintenance) - and gone to just greenery. The thing I like best are Boxwoods untrimmed. A little shrubby, bushy look. Found out they don’t need quite as much daily watering either. They adjust to the natural elements.

A small bay tree , olive tree, - a hydrangea doesn’t really like full sun and needs watering.

I have just potted up two Weigela ‘Magic Carpet’ 9 cm in two small pots. It’s supposed to be compact, sun loving or part shade. It might work in a larger pot with additional trailing plants around the edges? Or other Weigela which are not compact?
I have also ordered a load of geranium plugs. Seem to be feeling continental.
I have many fig trees growing in pots which is something of an accident. Ditto with bay trees which can be bushes or trees in pots.
The piers in our garden is magnificent and definitely in the ground.

Pieris

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Reported

shysal

I have just ordered myself another Fatsia Spiders Web because I have been so pleased with the first. They look exotic but are hardy. Mine has been much admired.

Shysal - who do you order from? My local nurseries seem more interested in growing their restaurants than caring for their plant business so perhaps buying online is the better option?

Sidelined, the on line nursery I use most is J.Parker. I find local nurseries have a very limited selection. Just be prepared for the ordered plants to be smaller than the picture. I go by pot size, a 2-5 litre usually gives a good size. Good luck!