Help...what to plant?
By Debs9757
United Kingdom 
Hi, I have a 1 mt tall but narrow pale green planter. My garden is north facing but with a west (unshaded) aspect, but gets it fair share of wind. What could I plant in this container/position that would look great and survive, wide growing and dark leaves would be my first choice. Thank you.
9 Jun, 2011
Answers
Norfolk, about 1/4 mile from the sea
9 Jun, 2011
Does that mean you get salt laden winds or breezes? I'd bet it does, or at least its possible. I'm racking my brains here, because the shape of your pot, being tall and narrow, means anything which makes a shrubby, rounded shape is likely to catch the wind and get blown over all the time because its top heavy, plus having to consider being close to the sea. Just how narrow is it?
9 Jun, 2011
9 ins across at the top and tapers in a little at the bottom. I can weigh it down well, lots of shingle going spare and it will stand by east fence, facing west. It was a gift so I need to make it look impressive but is certainly a problem one. Maybe a hanging plant with a bit if height????? This one has me stumped!!!!!! :-0
9 Jun, 2011
the only thing I can think of that will fit the bill is Phormium - they look quite good in containers that shape, are evergreen, come in various colours (striped reds, striped green and yellow, there's one nearly black called Platts Black, or purpureum which is a darkish purply/brown). I grow them in containers of the size and shape you describe - you do have to pull them out every other year and split them if they've filled the pot, and then you can replant the sections, or just keep one, but they also resist salt spray well. And because they have strappy leaves, less wind resistance too. If there's a hole at the bottom of the pot, you can add pebbles or something, but don't block the drainage hole - if there's no drainage, you'll have to fill the bottom quarter with pebbles and shingle and be careful about watering. They tolerate a fair bit of dry too.
9 Jun, 2011
Thanks for that, this certainly fits the bill. Also if it tolerates the odd day of no watering its a bonus ha ha. Once all planted will post a pic so you can see your genius in action so to speak
9 Jun, 2011
It'll look just like my phormiums I expect, only in a nicer pot - mine are just galvanised tomato towers, lol!
9 Jun, 2011
What part of the country are you in?
9 Jun, 2011