Ideas of what to put in these please.

I was given these lovely urns but they are not the best shape for planting things in. They are 60 cms tall and the neck opening is 40 cms. They are frost proof and have a reasonable sized drainage hole.

I don't really grow annuals at all and the only thing I could think of was to put a Clematis in each and let them just spill down the sides of the urns.I had thought of maybe laying them on their sides in a flower bed and plant something in them that way....then thought that might look a bit designery/ naff in my country garden!

They are really good quality and it seems a complete waste not to use them. They are pretty much identical altho they don't necessarily look that way in the photo but are hand made so do vary slightly. Any ideas would be appreciated. I just think I need things which grow sideways/down rather than up and tall if that makes sense. They can be sited in shade or fun sun. I do live in Scotland so nothing which isn't hardy would really suit. The urns are really heavy empty so pretty well immoveable when filled with drainage material and soil so wouldn't be able to drag then to a greenhouse/under cover in the winter. Hope someone can come up with a great plant/plants to do the urns justice. Thanks.

 

Sorry to disappoint you but we have had fantastic weather for the last 6 weeks. It was about 28 degrees here yesterday and the hottest place recorded according to the BBC yesterday in the UK was about 5 miles from here.It wouldn't be lack of sun that's the problem it's lack of water as our burn has been dry now for at least a month. We are on a private water supply (great no chemicals or water rates to pay) however we're now being a little careful and hoping the spring doesn't dry up!

 

They would look lovely with a patio rose in each - either traipsing down the sides or else standard patio roses

 

Thanks Merleworld and Shiney. 2 great suggestions.Roses don't do terribly well here apart from 1 Rose (It's a David Austin 1 but not a clue what it is, wish I did as would get more in a different colour if possible as these Roses, have 3 of them, flower their heads off, don't get greenfly or blackspot and seem to do well even when we get a grotty summer like last year). The patio Rose in your photo Merleworld would look lovely with the colour of the pots. Do you know it's name? I could maybe find out if it would stand up to Scottish winters! Now Fuschias Shiney, I hadn't thought of those. They too would look good hanging down around the Urns but not too sure if there would be colours of Fuschias which would go with the urns...will do some investigating!

 

Lucky you being given them - if anyone gives me a plant pot it's usually a plastic one.
I am sure they will look most attractive with whatever you put in them!

 

Love it FC. I duly read your post with interest, it wasn't until I got to about half way through the your post that the penny dropped....thick or what!? Yes they really are cracking urns which were a present for my somewhat milestone birthday and no that wasn't my 21st! I'm trying to discover if there is a sort of peachy apricot hardy and I mean hardy Fuchsia as I think Shiney's idea of putting a pot of something in them would be good. I'm also looking into a Rose possibility but unless we get a good summer a la this 1, Roses don't do well here,

 

I would first find a sturdy pot that has paralell sides to go inside first so the roots don't grow too large and crack the urns and making it easier to remove if desired.

Cheers, Tony.

 

The hardy fuchsia foliage of Tom West would look great in that colour pot.

This is one I have in my garden - stood out all winter.

 

Oh yoo hoo hoo Shiney, you haven't been on the amber fluid also "grown" in my part of the world have you?