Not unusual but my bedding begonias are still in full bloom and look great, those in pots are just stopping me planting anything else as I havn't the heart to take them out, they are the longest flowering annual by far.

I also think Begonia semperflorens are very good doers. Mine are also still blooming well, like Lizzibee's. They will grow in sun or shade and don't need much looking after ...

I was about to say the same ! mine are still beautiful,and I have just potted a lot up today..Considering I used to loathe them,it seems an odd turn around..and no,they aren't unusual,Sbg..common as muck,as they say..but such good doers..I mixed both Bronze and green leaved ones..Sorry if it wasn't what you wanted to hear,but I'm all for no maintenance :o)

I'm a great Begonia Sempiflorens fan as well - they really give good value. I love white Busy Lizzies, but have grown very few since their viral problem. Bacopa are sweet and go on and on.

Godetias in shades of pink/cream/magenta have done really well and flowered for months .......also 'Bunny Tail' grass ... can't think of the proper name for it right now!

You really can't go wrong with Begonias or geraniums. Both love the sun and are very drought tolerant. Maybe edge with traditional alussum and lobelia or interplant red geraniums with silver dust and dark blue salvia victoria.

I would go with Begonia semperflorens too, this year I tried some with dark leaves and white flowers and they are still flowering now.

thanks for the suggestions but I really don't like the small begonias though they are the height I'm after. I am after something but I don't know what.
keep passing on your ideas. If I could guarantee sunshine I'd go for Livingstone daisies such a happy childhood memory.

I'll have to browse the seed catalogues and see what inspiration comes my way.

Hi Sbg, a couple of ideas, something you don't usually see a lot of; Limonium suworowii, half hardy annual, ht about 18", flowers july - sept.
Linum grandiflorum, hardy annual, ht 16-30" depending on variety, flowers june - august, {I like the variety rubrum personally}, hope this helps, Derek.

they are lovely plants Derekm but they are going to be too tall. the car door has to clear the tops of them.

I like Livingstone daisies too (Mesembryanthemum??), but this year I have grown several trailing Verbena, and my V. Magic Silver and V. Sissinghurst Pink are still in flower in my tubs. They're planted with a foliage plant with purple leaves, but I'll have to find the label to tell you what that is!

Pretty Nemesia is now having a second flush, but does grow to about 8".

Hi Sbg, a couple more to look at, that grow a bit lower, Phacelia campanularia, hardy annual, height 9", gentian blue flowers june - sept.
Torenia fournieri, half hardy annual, height 12", but there are several named varieties, including "alba" @ 9".
Derek.

Btw, I saw white Nemesia interspersed with the low-growing black grass, Opiophogon nigra, and it looked stunning. Also, Hakenochloa macra looks good around the base of trees.

I'd forgotten about torenia and verbena.
I've grown them both before and liked the look of them . Nemesia is also an old fav. some good suggestions there thanks.
Feeling more positive too sheliabub. thanks for you pm appreciated it a lot. :o)

I stopped using Nemesia as they seemed to flower themselves out in about August, much too early.