Shrubs for large pots

That sounds a good one NFK any way of finding which one it is? We have lost so many hebes over the years.
The worst Winter here was about -13 but we lost plants that should have been ok to -15.

Hebes should do well provided you don't go for a really fancy, fussy one. The bloomin' things self seed in our garden and we've one growing in the front garden against the side paling fence where we have to park the car. Can't dig the thing out. It's exposed, in full sun, on builders rubble and subsoil, with paving one side and next door's concrete drive the other. Flowers wonderfully every year despite (or because of) my hacking it back.

Is it? I didn't know.
There are lots of them in Australia, where they grow into trees, also on one of the islands we visited in the South Pacific. I haven't been to New Zealand.

It’s a NZ shrub I think Jalima ?

I wrap myself in a nice warm fleece coat in Winter too.?

We did wrap the callistemon up in a nice fleece coat and hope it survives the very cold weather.

?well, you must all have very green fingers, as I was taking info from a gardening site.Of course it all depends where you are as well, maybe milder and more sheltered than my garden.
Having looked at all the possibilities and wanting failsafe hardy plants that can withstand almost anything have decided on Euonymus Bravo.Have sourced some medium sized specimens as the pots are quite large, so just need to order them now.

We have a callistemon in a large tub - I love it, it reminds me of Australia.

We're about to change our back door to a stable door because it will be more practical with two lively terriers to contain when the postman knocks! Peggy was issued with an ASBO last week for nipping his leg!!

This is giving me a perfect excuse to redesign our courtyard style patio so more large pots and and more evergreen shrubs because they look lovely against a slate grey painted fence.

So far I have hebes, Nandina domestica, box balls, a cordyline and a callistemon.

Any excuse to buy more.

When I planted them in the garden bed I dug a hole and filled it with ericaceous soil and then top-dressed them each year but they were still very spindly and unhappy but thrived in the pots - in full sun.

Pieris need ericaceous soil

but are better with some slight shade,
I didn't know that - ours seem to have done better since being moved from a rather shady spot in the garden bed and put into pots in ericaceous soil on gravel in full sun.
It could be the change of soil though.

lemon, I have Cistus in pots, never lost one

I like Hebes, but we have planted about eight since we moved here and only one proved completely hardy.
As shrubs are fairly pricey am trying to get this right, as we need three of them.A shame as there are some really pretty ones out there as well.

Grey green foliage.

I had forgotten about hebes. Heartbreaker and silver dollar - both with green foliage with lovely pink tips. Evergreen. Relatively compact.

Thanks all for some really good suggestions.
Pieris do look good, but are better with some slight shade,
Camellias too big and spready of habit, Cordyline are a possibility.Cistus are great in full sun, we have lots in the garden, but not good in pots as they can freeze over the Winter.Leucothoe are nice, and there are several varieties, all with colourful leaves, so another possibility thanks.
Nandina Domestica ( Heavenly bamboo) is another possible choice as we have one growing in full sun and it is very
hardy, and colourful.
Will have to get to the garden centre soon and have a look.?

I was going to suggest camellia too, -frost hardy but they need protection when the buds are coming into flower so probably not ideal for your site.
Cistus are pretty hardy though. Cistus x purpureus has beautiful, delicate flowers.

It doesn't look tough, but the information says it is.

I'm going to look out for one

It is unusual Jalima, it's tough and so pretty, the leaves are fleshy and curled, and it changes from green to reds , hence Curly Red, I will buy another this year

That's rather nice, have never seen one of those

Love this one too

www.charellagardens.co.uk/leucothoe-axillaris-curly-red-5-litre/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImc364OmU2QIVqr3tCh2MaQNsEAsYASABEgJ3efD_BwE

I have several Pieris in large tubs, love them

Camellia?

What about Pieris? They like an acid soil so have never grown well in our garden beds but (touch wood) they seem to be fine in large pots. They are evergreen (or green and white) and not that exciting until spring arrives then all the new shoots are pink; one flowers, the other doesn't.
I saw some lovely olive trees at the Garden Centre today, so tempted but they were £80 each and I thought they could be too tender for really cold temperatures and too heavy to lug into the conservatory.