What to plant?

I was going to suggest hostas in the middle too. I surround them with slate chippings which seems to deter slugs.

Ah but not evergreen or trailing, just looked at OP.

Hostas would be nice, if you find slug damage put Vaseline part way up the container in an inch line right round, slugs hate it. www.gardenersworld.com/plants/plant-inspiration/container-plants-for-shade/

Ivy is the spawn of the devil. I stupidly planted some and now it's threatening to take over entire street. Hostas are lovely, but round here slugs munch them up soon as you turn your back. Herbs are best bet. Also some bulbs give cheer. Daffs, hyacinth in spring, lilies in summer.

I have several bays of various sizes in pots. They are evergreen and easy to look after. You could put bulbs in for the winter and summer bedding plants- lobelia, petunia, begonia. Anything you fancy.

Unable to plant for spring, then summer Have to plant what just needs occasional trimming

Then I would go with Hostas, Ab. They are coming into leaf now and will look good through to the Autumn if you take precautions against slug damage as suggested on here. Heucheras similarly need very little attention other than trimming down at the end of the season. Lots of different shades to go at too.

I love Hostas but can a traling evergreen share a home with them ?

There's no reason why not, as long as the companion plant is not over vigorous. I'm sure there will be others on here who can add advice on this.

Garden centres will soon have a variety of trailing plants that are suitable for hanging baskets, they would also do well in tubs.

Our garden centre has closed, I have to buy on line , any recommendations please?

Crocus - their plants are excellent quality -they supply Chelsea

Thank you whitewave, I did Google but so many came up

A red cordyline in the middle with variagated ivy? You could add a couple of pelargoniums for summer flowers:

I had a lot of heucheras in tubs then something ate the roots! I'm not sure what, but I planted the survivors in the garden beds where they are just about surviving.

That looks great Jalima

Crocus, Primrose or GrowsOnYou ab they have all been good.

It's not mine, I found the picture online although I do have a couple of small tubs with cordylines and variegated ivy. The cordylines were babies thrown off from one which grew into a small tree until the frost got it one severe winter.

I need to get out there and make start working on my tubs, perhaps they will end up looking like that!!

in fact I might make a as I seem to be typing rubbish!

How endearingly honest

should have kept quiet then you would all be admiring my garden (and house, what you can see of it!)

Trailing plants for tubs and baskets: Bacopa, trailing lobelia, creeping Jenny, Bidens, Dichondra ( the silver leaf plant) and Verbena.
To cold to plant them yet.

I can't plant and plant because of hand problems, this is why it has to be permanent plants, the iron tubs are very big

Thank you Rosesarered

Ah, how about Vinca? It trails and spreads, but count be contained with occasional snipping.