Evergreen shrubs for our pots
Q
We have block paving to the north of our property and I’ve bought two pots, 52cm/21in in diameter, 45cm/18 tall to go on it. We would like to plant interesting, low-maintenance evergreen shrubs that will tolerate shade and not make a mess. What would you recommend?
Neil Marfitt, Poole, Dorset
A
Start by covering your elegant pots’ drainage holes with crocks, stones or pea shingle to ensure that surplus water freely drains away. Plant in a loambased compost such as John Innes No3 that will provide plenty of nutrients for your new plants.
The following contenders should flourish for you. Plant them in peat-free compost: Euonymus fortunei ‘Blondy’: Cheering yellow-and-green- splashed leaves.
Sarcococca confusa: Bright green foliage; scented starry white blooms in winter. Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’: Large, semi-double peach- pink flowers in spring. Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’: Leaves speckled with gold.
Fatsia japonica: Large, glossy green, fingered leaves and bobbles of white blossom in autumn.
Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Rainbow’: Slender, finely pointed yellow, cream and pink leaves, especially colourful in spring.
Feed monthly, from now until September, with sulphate of potash to help them excel.