9 stunners suitable for containers
x Argyrimelia Grandaisy Pink Halo AGM
For a centrepiece or even to fill an entire container, sun-loving marguerites are handsome, tender, evergreen subshrubs. Its 2.5in (6cm)-wide, brown-eyed daisies are mid-pink with a halo of darker pink and white against fine, dark greygreen foliage. H&S: 24in (60cm).
Bidens ferulifolia ‘Golden Eye’
For exuberant container plantings, these are perfect as their long stems push outwards and downwards, throwing blooms to the edges of the planting. Cultivars offer blooms of white, yellow and warm fiery-orange tones but this one has a modest spread. H&S: 10in (25cm).
Brachyscome angustifolia Brasco Violet
Known as Swan river or rock daisies, the brachyscome tribe make perfect sunloving filler plants, producing soft mounds of fine foliage joined by pretty daisy-like blooms in shades from white through pale sky-blue to purple and pink daisies. H&S: 12in (30cm).
Nicotiana Perfume Series, Mixed
Tobacco plants are usually cheap, cheerful and sold in modules. Choose tall N. sylvestris or N. mutabilis (the colour-changing tobacco) at 5ft (1.5m) for drama. Shorter tobaccos such as
N. ‘Lime Green’ at 2ft (60cm) make good fillers. HxS: 18x12in (45x30cm).
Calibrachoa ‘Starlight Blue’
The trailing stems of calibrachoas are smothered in masses of small, petunialike blooms available in many colours, perfect for pouring over the edges of baskets, troughs and pots. The electric purple-blue flowers of ‘Starlight Blue’ are eye-catching. H: 20in (50cm).
Diascia Sundiascia Sakura Pink
The diascias or twinspurs have a matforming, slightly trailing habit especially as they mature and are smothered in many prettily formed flowers in shades of pink. Place in full sun and deadhead after a flush of blooms to help more form. H&S: 18in (45cm).
Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri
‘Tricolor’ AGM
Where height is needed, a robust foliage plant acts as a foil for summer flowers. Cannas add foliage and eucalypts have an ethereal quality, but the smaller New Zealand flaxes withstand crowding and survive most winters. H&S: 5ft (1.5m).
Glandularia Endurascape White Blush
This creeping type of verbena will billow over the edges of containers in sun or light shade. Plants are resistant to mildew, tolerant of bad weather and look gorgeous against darker pink petunias and silvery foliage plants. HxS: 24x12in (30x60cm).
Nemesia Fairy Kisses ‘Boysenberry’
For a window box, the variety ‘Wisley Vanilla’ is recommended as this one has the most pervading sweet scent. For vibrant colour, the burgundy, pink and yellow flowers of ‘Boysenberry’ are hard to beat and will thrive in sun or partial shade. HxS: 10x6in (25x15cm).