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in the months ahead.As always, the problem is predicting what weather our summer will bring. Dry, wet, warm, scorching, dull - who knows? So by growing a range of patio plants that relish different conditions I'm hoping at least some of them will thrive.

I'm always looking for plants that make an impact - things that will grab the attention and put on a good show. Seasonal bedding and bulbs are always popular, but many shrubs also grow well in patio pots.Over the years I've tried all sorts, from

I can't be the only one looking for foolproof plants to brighten the patio during summer, but it's always nice to try something a little different too.Traditional summer bedding has its place, but it does demand regular attention.Daily watering

similar to grey mould, but I haven't been able to verify this.Most of mine will be planted in large patio pots, but I'll keep the pots in a sheltered position once planted to avoid the compost in pots getting too cold or waterlogged. Sheltered

into the top of the container on my patio, so as one fades another takes its place.By planting bulbs in baskets instead of directly in the pot, I avoid locking up a lovely container with a single display, and prolong the show of beautiful spring bulbs.The trick

gone and deciduous plants have lost their leaves.Some foliage plants form the centrepieces to displays, like the brilliant coleus in one of my patio pots (pictured, above). It's one of the 'Kong' series, I think, and, having started off as quite a small

will send the leaves tumbling to the ground.Slow-growing Japanese maples, particularly those with dissected leaves, make perfect small trees for patio pots. I've grown acers in pots on my patio for about six years now, using large, heavy terracotta pots

.So, what's left? Thankfully, I was tempted to buy a couple of hardy evergreen ferns from Fernatix while at Gardeners' World Live a few years ago and now, planted in tall terracotta pots, they take pride of place on my patio during winter.Ferns have rotten

grown 30-40cm tall, and I've missed the boat! Repotting and dividing them now would cause too much damage to the new leaves, so I'll have to do it next winter instead.Planting hostas in pots is a great way to produce stunning patio features. My Hosta

every day. All they need is some extra warmth to encourage them to burst into flower.Until that finally happens, I’m putting some of the empty summer patio pots to good use by packing them with primulas.And what a choice there is. Of course