Suggestions please for a large planter

Okay here's the setup. It's a north facing fence and will have a Clematis Armandii climbing over the trellis at the top (already planted in the border and will be trained across). I'm looking for a shrub/bush to put in the large planter which will compliment the Rhodos. It would be nice if it were summer flowering and fragrant so that when the patio doors are open the scent wafts in. Preferably evergreen but if the plant is nice enough would consider deciduous.

Would love a nice repeat flowering fragrant rose, but probably way too shady.

Any suggestions please?

 

Hi merle, that looks a nice arrangement there.
Bit of a tall order, shade tolerant, evergreen, fragrant, summer flowering.
I'd perhaps consider:
Choisya, meets all the criteria I think, no wow factor but a good for tricky situations.
Evergreen honeysuckle, I have one that is shrublike and rambles a wee bit (might look nice wandering up that fence a bit?) if you let it, but fits the bill for you I think. Lovely fragrance. Mine is inherted so unsure of name.

Others I'm sure will have some more spectacular ideas.

 

Just

Just had a look in the David Austin 2011/12 Rose catalogue. See page 96.There are 22 Shrub roses and 18 Climbers listed. Many of which I would dearly love to accommodate.
So, as I have a current pash for roses, I say "give them some thought" Merle.
Jenny

 

Have a look at Pieris Japonica Merle (lily of the valley bush).....i just had a quick look but it does say can grow in sun or partial shade....is it really deep shade where your Rhodys are....

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll take them into consideration

It doesn't get a lot of sun Lolimac - maybe for a short while at sunrise but then it's in shade for the rest of the day, so I really need a plant which is shade loving. I used to have an acer in that spot which I'd had in a planter for 15 years or so and which did brilliantly, but then I repotted it at the wrong time of year and it died on me I don't really want another one though, I fancy something different.

 

Lovely planters Merle .How about an Azalea planted in ericaceous compost , I am looking at an absolutely stunning one across the road now !

 

There's always an Azaelia,they put on a good show and will withstand the shade ...not scented though....

 

Ha ,great minds Harry...

 

This is the only Azaelia i have (mothering sunday) and was in a pot untill last season....it's always been in deep shade but always comes up trumps...

 

I'd look at planting a fatsia spider web ... evergreen, big leaves, hardy, unusual, enjoys shade ... no smell though

if do do opt for one, it's best to buy a largish one as they grow slow



and a closeup :

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

Re the Azalea, I have dozens of Azaleas and Rhodos (including 15+ dwarf ones) both in the borders and in planters, so I fancied something different. I have so much in my garden which gives Spring colour (Camellias, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Wisteria, Lilac etc) that I wanted something summer flowering.

Still considering Choisya but from what I've read they flower best in full sun.

Thinking about trying out a rose to see how it does in shade - I can always move it elsewhere if it doesn't like it.

Keep the suggestions coming please so I can draw up a shortlist

 

I've been watching the sun in that corner today and realised that actually, it's been in sun since about 7 am this morning and still is, but the sun is moving away now. So that's 6 hours of partial/full sun. It's because the plants are raised that they are getting the sun (no sun at all at floor level), but it does mean that I can widen my choice, so the shortlist consists so far of Choisya Ternata or a choice of several roses - Gertrude Jekyll, Rhapsody in Blue or Lavender Ice (the last one is quite low growing but might just get one in any case for another planter).

Any more for any more? Can now widen the spec to 'part shade' so am off to Crocus for some suggestions as well.

PS : Really do appreciate the help

 

That's what I love about GC; everyone pitches in, gives help and praise and and is rewarded with thanks.

 

The other thing to consider if it suits your garden is rotating planters. I do that as I have some tough darkish places around the front of the house, so periodically I swap planters that have been growing strongly in a sunny situation and put them in a less light situation for a while where they normally wouldn't do well year round, for example. That way you can grow things in some areas you otherwise couldn't if it were stationery so to speak. The beauty of container gardening really.

Good luck whatever you choose!

 

Do you want a climber? You can't beat a Jasmine for scent in June but if it likes your spot it could get big very quickly, would grow all along the top of the fence for you though. As others have said though scented roses are nice too. As the pot is so big, you could probably have more than one plant and have scent for a longer period.