Brightly coloured evergreen options
comans
If brown and green are just too dominant on the patio, variegated and coloured-leaved euonymus will provide easy colour. Euonymus ‘Microphyllus Pulchellus’ has striking dark green and bananayellow crinkled leaves that stand proud on upright stems. Reaching 1m (3¼ft) tall, it makes a good screen for an eyesore. For a similar colour (plus pink tinges to the leaves in winter) but on a shorter plant, ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ reaches between 4560cm (1½-2ft). Grow both in a mix of equal parts John Innes and multi-purpose compost and raise onto pot feet. Both are hardy down to -10C (5F).