Those looking to spruce up their garden this spring with minimal effort can feature seven potted plants, according to gardening experts. From flowers to herbs, there are lots of ways to brighten up your outdoor space without needing beds or high-maintenance plants.
Fiona Jenkins, UK-based landscaper and gardening expert at MyJobQuote said: “Simple, low-maintenance plants are ideal for those who have little spare time or don’t feel very confident in gardening. Hardy perennials such as geraniums and peonies, as well as evergreen shrubs, can survive the winter frost and won’t need replanting every year. Once settled in, these plants can bring years of colour and beauty.” Though not traditionally a potted plant, roses can thrive even when sat on a patio. They require deadheading and pruning with Liam Beddall, Senior Rose Consultant at David Austin Roses saying they fertilisation is especially important for healthy growth and abundant blooms.
Dwarf conifers are miniature trees with the same evergreen colour and fragrance. Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, says “cupressus ‘Wilma’ smells great when you brush past it” and “Cypress ‘Baby Blue’ also looks cool in pots with its silvery-blue leaves”.
Verbena can withstand periods of excess water but are also drought-tolerant. Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, said: “It is a really easy plant to grow and care for. It needs little attention and grows well even in drought conditions.”
Chives are very easy to grow – just sprinkle seeds on top of compost and once they’re a few inches in height, snip them off for cooking. But if you don’t want to cut them back they will grow fragrant purple flowers.
Rosemary is hardy, resilient, easy to grow, and drought resistent so long as it’s in the right environment – “a warm, sunny, well-drained enivronment… to thrive and makes it robust and healthy,” according to Petar Ivanov, Fantastic Gardeners’ gardening and plant expert.
Garden expert Sarah Raven said that erigeron is one of her “favourite all-round garden plants”. They have daisy-like flowers with touches of pink that bloom for months on end. Raven said no garden should be without them, they can be sowed between April and July.
Cordyline is loved for its statement palm-like shape and attractive colours of green, bronze and purple. It is happy in mild locations, especially coastal and urban gardens, but needs winter protection. It is drought tolerant and low maintenance.
