Decisions,

I've got a young honeysuckle in a large pot. I want to plant something around the honeysuckle, but I just can't decide what . I want something bee and butterfly friendly, deep pink, lavender blue or purple in colour that will not grow above 18 - 24" (or wind will batter it ). The pot is on the patio in a partial shade position. Been looking online,but there is just too much choice . Anyone got any ideas please? Pics would be good too, but not essential.

 

Does it have to be flowers, or is foliage ok? I'm thinking because you mentioned shade, you might be a bit limited, but hostas and ferns look really good and are fine in similar conditions to honeysuckle. Although foliage, there are some that are distinctly blue, or other colours you might not expect to see in foliage.

The only concern that springs to mind is that anything you grow close to honeysuckle will eventually get used as a climbing frame by the honeysuckle. I'm the first few years, it probably won't be an issue, as the honeysuckle focuses all its energy on aiming for the sky with just one or two shoots, but once it settles in it starts spreading, and that's when it will possible tangle around any plants you out too close to it.

 

Oops, forgot about the been friendly requirement.

How about honesty? I think that ticks all the boxes, being the right colour (when in bloom), tolerates shade, and in fact is often found at the foot of hedgerows where it thrives in the wild. When the flowers finish, you get the most amazing paper like translucent seed pods which many people find more interesting than the flowers themselves.

 

I like the hosta idea but what about campanula? Does ok in light shade and is bee friendly

 

How about Foxgloves or Penstemon, you can get shorter varieties nowadays.

 

I did know about the Honeysuckle, but I only bought it last summer and as Clueless1 has said its intent on going vertical at moment. I'm not sure yet whether it will remain in the pot. Just thought a little extra colour is never a bad thing. I'm thinking annuals might work now.