Filling up your outdoor containers with resilient plants can take a lot of the hassle out of garden maintenance and needing to replant if a less hardy plant doesn’t survive. Whether you’re a green-thumbed pro or a complete novice gardener, there are plenty of plants that can resist most conditions and still thrive in pots. Essentially hardy plants for pots for outdoors; we’ve made it easier for you by making a list of ones we think would work best for outdoor planters.
The Right Environment
Before you think about which hardy plant is right for you and your outdoor space, make sure that you have the right planter for the job – if you already have one you want to fill, it’s vital to look at how much growing space each plant will need and whether the planter you have will be enough. If not, our sizable collection of planters and our handy dandy guide on choosing a planter can help.
You also need to consider the soil needed, most container plants do best with soil that drains well to avoid any kind of build-up of moisture and root rot. Grab a good compost mix and place some drainage at the bottom of your chosen pot to allow for the best conditions for your hardy plant.
Bay Tree
Topiary in general is a fantastic option for your outdoor pots as they are evergreen, providing your outdoor space with that much needed green foliage when other plants have wilted away during colder seasons. They’re relatively easy to look after and can thrive in most environments.
Buddleja
Also known as the butterfly bush, this deciduous shrub is easy to care for, just make sure you water lots during dry spells and they’ll provide you with stunning blooms which attract butterflies and other pollinators like no other!
Hebe
Hebes can bring vibrancy to an otherwise gloomy corner of your garden, with its evergreen foliage and bright blooms. The best place for a hebe is in a container placed in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
English Ivy
English ivy can be a nuisance when planted in the wrong spot, but maintained and placed in a sizeable pot with a trellis to climb up, it can make for a stunning addition to your garden border. Not only is it reliable and hardy, but has a strong resistance to pests/diseases and is fantastic for attracting wildlife.
Geraniums
Geraniums boast an elegant shape and are a classic favourite to include in any outdoor space. Place them in a basket as a stunning centrepiece and enjoy their scent and colour, preferably in a full sun position, where they’ll continue to thrive as long as you deadhead the wilted blooms.
Hydrangeas
One of the most popular ornamental shrubs which can vary in colour depending on the pH of the soil they are planted in. These large blooms brighten up any border and provide stunning colour not only with their petals, but also with their changing foliage come Autumn.
Agapanthus
Tall plants with spherical blooms on the top of a long stem, these plants can range from dark purple to white most often and are a great perennial option for container growing. Keep in well-drained soil in a relatively sunny spot and they’ll bloom all the way through summer.
Alstroemeria
Also referred to as the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, these plants are a great addition to any garden, most often used in cottage gardens due to their classic look. These plants can bloom from early summer into early winter and thus are a hardy option for your outdoor containers.
Holly
Very easy to grow in a pot and looks striking with its dark green foliage and red berries. This plant is frost resistant and easy to maintain, not even requiring much pruning due to its slow growth rate, making it an incredibly easy plant to take care of.
Don’t want to spend time on temperature testing or ensuring optimal moisture? We have no time for fragile flowers and high-maintenance plants. Enjoy our range of beautiful yet hardy plants for pots for outdoors.