Shrub ideas welcome!

[goosey]

I have been given two beautiful, terracotta pots which are glazed inside and out to look like grey lakeland slate and are so heavy I can’t lift them off the ground empty. They are 60cm high and they measure 34x34cmacross, but the inner measurement which the compost and plant must fit into is 57cm x 27cm x 27cm.
So – I want two shrubs which won’t require lateral space but is happy for its roots to go downwards, they must also be shade tolerant as they will go into the front garden and will only have a few hours of evening sun. It must also be wildlife friendly and have a purpose – not just something pretty to look, not grow too wild as they will be either side of the front door and I don’t want them attacking people. All ideas welcome –thanks.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by goosey

I have been given two beautiful, terracotta pots which are glazed inside and out to look like grey lakeland slate and are so heavy I can’t lift them off the ground empty. They are 60cm high and they measure 34x34cmacross, but the inner measurement which the compost and plant must fit into is 57cm x 27cm x 27cm.
So – I want two shrubs which won’t require lateral space but is happy for its roots to go downwards, they must also be shade tolerant as they will go into the front garden and will only have a few hours of evening sun. It must also be wildlife friendly and have a purpose – not just something pretty to look, not grow too wild as they will be either side of the front door and I don’t want them attacking people. All ideas welcome –thanks.

Have to say in that position I'd forgo thoughts about the beasties and treat myself to a pair of Sarcocco confusa - evening winter sun would be perfect for the scent.

But if it's bees and butterflies you want, I think you are looking at the labiates (which are not called labiates anymore but - Lavenders etc is what I mean) Some forms of lavender and of rosemary are far more compact and upright than others so it's a question of looking for cultivars to fit your location.

There are some neat little Pitasporums ( one called Tom Thumb I think) though I've no idea how attractive to insects they are - great scent though and unlike the Sarcocca, summer flowering.

CM

[trampas45]

Here are some shrubs that may be of interest for you;
Buddleja davidii - butterflies love them.
Ceanothus impressus - bees and wasps. also smells beautiful
Corylus avellana(corkscrew hazel) - birds love the seeds.
Lavetera arborea - another for butterflies.
Sambucus nigrum - birds love the berries.
I hope this is helpful?

[SweetRocket]

The many varieties of Hebe’s make good container plants.
Photinia ‘red robin’
Buddleia B.davidii types.
Skimmia
Choisya Ternata ‘sundance’

The above should all do well in pots and are attractive to bees and other insects.

[naturelover]

i think hebes too,i have lots of hebes in pots many different coloures,if they get too tall you just prune them a bit to the height you want after flowering,they are evergreen and flowwer for a long time,also the insects and butterflys love them.

[Jez]

Okay deep to light shade that attracts wildlife an advantage. I'd suggest Shrubby Honeysuckle Lonicera Fragrantissima- Will stand well in shaded spot, Late winter/Early spring heavy scented flowers that are beneficial to early Bees and Bee Flies. Red Beries for Birds! Trim May to August & grows to 3M in height. *Recommended*

Mahonia- a Apollo. Full hardy evergreen not to fused about soil. This variety is non invasive, Grows well in shade. Flowers loved by bees. Needs irregular pruning.

Niellia Longiracemosa-Graceful Shrub has pendent flowers in Early summer. 2M tall prune after Flowering. Will Tolerate a Shady spot.

Lavateras do well with a few hours of evening sun. Must be Hard Pruned every Spring! Bees and Butterflies like them and they have lovely showy flowers *Recommended*

Buddleias may also do quite well with just a few hours of evening sunlight! Butterfly bush say no more- Go for blue colours and i love they cherry fragrance.

[goosey]

Thank you all for the help - that was a decent list to contemplate!
I have quite a few suggested plants in the back garden where it is sunny most of the day and are great insect attracters as you say.
I think I will go with Cotham Marbles suggestion of the Sarcococca, it looks perfectly suited to being in the shade most of the time, with the added appeal of sweet smelling flowers in winter! Thanks.
I hope I will be able to get them this side of Christmas, but our local garden centres and nurseries tend to be over taken with Christmas decorations this time of year.

[goosey]

Thanks Jez, your post wasn't there when I started my last answer - but I shall investigate your suggestions for shade lovers as well. I need a few more plants in the front.

[Jez]

Originally Posted by goosey

Thanks Jez, your post wasn't there when I started my last answer - but I shall investigate your suggestions for shade lovers as well. I need a few more plants in the front.

Shrubs again or herbaceous flowers. Which ever you'll have more choice

[elleme]

Originally Posted by goosey

I think I will go with Cotham Marbles suggestion of the Sarcococca, it looks perfectly suited to being in the shade most of the time, with the added appeal of sweet smelling flowers in winter!

I have another Sarcococca, S. hookeriana var. digyna planted in shade save for late afternoon sun. I haven't noticed any wildlife value but it has elegant evergreen leaves so it looks fine in an understated way all year round, and that scent in winter is a huge plus point. Mahonia 'Apollo' is next to it, also seems well behaved and not as assertively prickly as the x intermedia type, but I only planted that this year so it's still quite small. In the last couple of years, each time I've had my first bumble bee sighting, of the year, they've been on Lonicera fragrantissima in my local park. I haven't got one but if I was trying to squeeze in another shrub right now I'd be tempted.

You may still have time to plant some bulbs too - how about some ones reputed to be quite good for nectar like winter aconite, grape hyacinth, crocus? Not sure which of those are the most shade-friendly but good old snowdrops would do fine.