Hello,

My boyfriend and I have just moved into our first flat and have a small courtyard. We have inherited a tall planter (approx 1 metre) which currently has a very uninteresting small bush growing from it. We would like to plant something new but I have no idea where to start. Something with a bit of colour and height would be ideal.

We are happy to plant now and wait for a couple of months or put a developed plant in.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the following:

A) how to remove existing plant?
b)What to put in its place (advice on looking after would be great)
c)any ideas for potted plant that are easy to maintain generally?

Sorry we are both completely new to gardening!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi zmac, could you let us know a bit more about this planter ? width, shape etc. and also where abouts you live ? and will this be left outside all year and is it in full sun or shade. Thank you !
Lannerman.

Congratulations on your new flat,

With regard to your planter, I would advise emptying your container and starting from scratch.

If you would like a Mediterranean feel to your courtyard you could plant a nice Cordyline, either a variegated or a nice red one. These are ideal in a planter. Another idea would be a buxus pyramid ( the topiary box bushes) These again are great in a planter and give a nice modern feel and just need clipping to keep their shape. Ideally they are evergreen.

Another nice plant is an Acer (Japanese Maple), you would need to fill your planter with an ericaeous soil. These are
very attractive but are deciduous ( lose their leaves in winter)

Camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas are all nice evergreen shrubs and you would benefit from a nice splash of colour in the spring/summer. Again these require ericaceous soil.

A flamingo tree, (salix hakuro nigashi) are lovely in tubs and would give you the height, you could then plant some perennials or bedding plants around the base of the plant.

I hope this gives you a few ideas!

Hi Lannerman,

Thanks so much for getting back to me. It approx 0.4 mtr wide and 1.2 mtre tall it is a mostly shaded position.

This is so so helpful- thankyou so much!I will have a look at all and discuss with the boyfriend what we might like.

I will get back to you and let you know our choice- thanks again!

This is so so helpful- thankyou so much!I will have a look at all and discuss with the boyfriend what we might like.

I will get back to you and let you know our choice- thanks again!

hi zmac, thanks for the info, further to other good advice, I think this is very much a personal thing but given that its in a shady position how about a Pieris forrestii (a lovely shrub with bright red new spring growths and smothered with bunches of white 'lily of the valley' like flowers from end of January to April) underplanted with Euonymous fortunei Emerald and Gold which will trail down and give bright golden variegated foliage all year ? These will give you lots of foliage colour and texture and you could always add a trailing fuchsia to give you a splash of colour ?
lannerman.