Plants for a purpose: Summer containers
Discover plants that are perfect for summer containers, chosen by the Gardeners' World team and our friends in the gardening world
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
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| At its best | yes | yes | yes |
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to add a burst of colour to your garden, then a container packed full of plants is the perfect solution. And in the middle of summer, there's an abundance of options to bring fabulous flowers and foliage to your pots. Discover some of the best plants for glorious summer containers. Our choices include recommendations from the Gardeners' World team and familiar faces from across the gardening industry.
Find more summer pots inspiration:
The container pictured above, includes: Ocimum 'African Blue', Gomphostigma virgatum, Fuchsia 'Thalia', Salvia leucantha 'Midnight', Salvia coahuilensis, Cuphea caeciliae.
Zinnias
Chosen by Arit Anderson, Gardeners' World presenter
This year I am hoping my seed-grown Zinnia elegans 'Benary’s Giant Purple' are going to pack a punch in my containers, giving me cut flowers and colour all the way through to October….fingers crossed!
Hebes
Chosen by Sue Kent, Gardeners' World presenter
In larger containers, as I can’t move the pot or change the plants with ease, I select evergreens for year-round interest. Choose a compact variety, such as Hebe ‘Caledonia’, which will not grow to more than 60cm in height and spread, making it ideal for a pot, and it has an abundance of small purple flowers blooming from spring to late summer and beyond if deadheaded regularly.
Cushion bush
Chosen by Toby Buckland, Gardeners' World presenter
The Cushion Bush (Calocephalus brownie) is a must in my containers. It loves full sun, survives infrequent watering and the leaves are the colour of liquid silver. A perfect contrast to neighbouring flowers and greenery.
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Angel wing begonias
Chosen by Flo Headlam, Garden Rescue presenter
Every year I have a container of Angel wing begonias in my garden. I love the heart-shaped leaves and the blousey, garish coral or salmon coloured flowers that put on a show right up until the first frosts.
Erigeron karvinskianus
Chosen by Manoj Malde, garden designer
I love using Erigeron karvinskianus as it makes a great filler, gently draping over the edge of the container. The profusion of small, pretty, daisy like flowers, which are white in colour with a blush of pink, provide a long season of interest and I mix it with other perennials and grasses in a container.
Ocimum 'African Blue'
Chosen by Adam Duxbury, commissioning editor
Although basil might seem an unusual choice for a summer container, I think everyone should try growing this unusual herb in a mixed pot. Not only do you get delicious, highly aromatic leaves but, in summer, purple spires of flowers will shoot up. They make a lovely foil to other summer ornamentals and will be abuzz with pollinators too.
Agapanthus 'Arctic Star'
Chosen by Cel Robertson, founder of Forever Green flower company
I’m not a huge fan of bedding plants in pots, but I do love a statement perennial in a container. Agapanthus are well suited to growing in pots, where they will thrive for many years. 'Arctic Star' is one of my favourite varieties; the white flowers always look fresh and cool at the height of summer.
Ipomoea 'Sweet Caroline Purple'
Chosen by Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener founder
I love the sumptuous, dark burgundy-purple foliage of this annual, and use it widely in my windowboxes. Its soft, trailing foliage finishes of the look wonderfully with a cascade of leaves. It also lightens to a softer hue in the summer sun with a metallic hue. It does flower, if the growing conditions are right, but I use it for the leaves.
Osteospermum
Chosen by Catherine Mansley, digital editor
Osteospermums will fill pots with large, vibrant flowers from June until October. I love the pink and purple-flowered varieties, but there are also yellow and orange ones, if you prefer. They make a great centrepiece in small pots or a striking filler plant in large containers. They are perennial, but need protection from frost.
Indian mint
Chosen by Sinead Fenton, Aweside Farm manager
I love the way this variety drapes down just like an ivy plant, cascading in the most wonderful way. It is even more spectacular when it’s in flower – the dainty white flowers create a whimsical feel. It also has the most unique scent – fresh mint meets oregano; it’s a true delight.
Verbena bonariensis
Chosen by Jason Williams, creator of the Cloud Gardener blog
Plants for pots don't have to be small. I like to create focal points around my balcony by adding some height into larger containers – and Verbena bonariensis is perfect for doing just that.
Pelargonium tomentosum
Chosen by Oliver Parsons, horticultural sub-editor
At its best growing en masse from the biggest terracotta pot you can find, as the amazing furry foliage will spill down beautifully. Not many pelargoniums do shade, but this one benefits from a little, and even sometimes a lot – certainly don't leave it in intense midday or afternoon sun for too long in summer or those huge leaves may curl up and wither in short order.
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