Nice easy care bush or plant for a tub

When my friends daughter died in an accident I took her to the hospital and as a thank you/rememberance she bought me an Acer. Everytime I look at it I remember her lovely daughter.

Well we’ve sort of done the same but in the garden. So our dear westie died on Feb 8th and we planted loads of snowdrops in his memory as they were in flower the. And our beloved Cairn died Apl 8th and primroses were in flower so Duncan has loads of wild primroses in his memory.

So a May flowering shrub.? Give me a few minutes and I’ll come back with ideas.

So it needs to be small I guess.

Deutzia - flowers May-July
Indigo Himalayansis - Apl May
Potentillas
Dwarf rhododendron

I’m sure other people will have some good ideas as well

Hydrangeas do well in tubs, I have several types and they are thriving. There are many different varieties, maybe you could research a named one that reminds you of him.

Thank you ladies . I will start looking

J52

Hydrangeas do well in tubs, I have several types and they are thriving. There are many different varieties, maybe you could research a named one that reminds you of him.

Yes, that's what we went for too - ours is a beautiful deep pink colour, although I'm not sure what it is called as there was no label on it.

How about a rose? You might even find one with their name.

I've just bought a Red Robin in a tub. It has bright red leaves that will turn dark green and back to red depending on the seasons. I am told that so long as it is watered it is hardy, and it looks good (so far!). They come in shrub form and as 'lollipop' trees (ie a spherical bush on top of a long trunk). They like sunlight, which I needed, as it's in a south facing position.

Be careful with Red Robins though, they can get very big which might make it less portable. I guess you can prune them, but it's likely to be an ongoing job. They are easy-care otherwise though.

I'm so sorry about your dog. I was given a rose a few years ago called loyal companion and is lovely. Although it was given to plant in the garden, for much the same reason as yours, it's been in a large pot from day one and is still thriving.

I’d go for an azalea. I’ve got two beautiful ones in pots, one of which was given to me by mother in law over 40 years ago, and it still flowers in great abundance every year. Azaleas are effort free too.

Philadelphus is beautiful and wonderfully scented.
Sorry for your loss.

I agree that Hydrangeas are good in pots but thirsty. Red Robins are prone to black spot. My favourite pot plant is Fatsia Spiders Web, which I think are beautiful and trouble free unless you have a deer problem.
Sorry to hear about your dog. What a good idea for the ashes, I shall consider the same when my 21 year old cat departs.

I have a lovely bush rose which does well in a good sized tub.
Roses come with names so you could choose one with a name that suits your late dog.

valdali

Be careful with Red Robins though, they can get very big which might make it less portable. I guess you can prune them, but it's likely to be an ongoing job. They are easy-care otherwise though.

I bought lots of them during lockdown to make a hedge but didn't get round to planting them. Still in pots the only one that has really taken off is just outside the back door, is now pot bound and growing into the soil underneath. Because it's growing sideways away from the shed I've got to cut it right back tonight which will probably kill it. But it has to be done. It's really beautiful and I feel like a murderer. I so wish I'd moved the pot sooner but everything in my garden grew rampantly when I was away for a few weeks.

Thank you everyone and for your sympathies. I need to look at all these plants now . I really missed the dog tonight . We live by the sea and on hot days we would wait until the sun was going down then take him for a walk by the beach .

I'm so sorry about your dog
After I lost the remaining two of my original four in a week I can't face having anymore dogs.
We all deal with grief in different ways - it's a lovely idea to have a pot containing his ashes.
Whatever plant you choose remember thst potted pots need more frequent watering and repotting to keep them healthy.

I'd be inclined to have a mixture of plants in one pot.
Failing that -my most successful rose is Gertrude Jekyll . It has beautiful pink flowers and a rich scent.
I've also grown two Harkness hybrids -Ena a deep almost pink and Elizabeth a rich cream.
David Austin is a great source for quality roses .
If you plant a rhododendron then remember that most acid loving plants prefer rain water .

valdali

Be careful with Red Robins though, they can get very big which might make it less portable. I guess you can prune them, but it's likely to be an ongoing job. They are easy-care otherwise though.

Thanks. I'm no gardener😀.

The Red Robin is in a deep (tall) pot on a patio, so it can only grow so much, as the roots will be contained in the pot. It's a lollipop one, and will be pruned if it gets too bushy. It has a lot of scope though, as there is space around it, so if it survives my TLC I don't mind if it grows quite tall.

A rose would be a good one and depending on its size and the tub, you could under plant with pansies in spring or petunias in summer for example. Some roses have lovely names such as golden celebration, happy retirement etc. I dare say one would have a name which would suit.

Yes Peter Beales do one called Faithfully Friend. Sounds about right.

Typo: should have read Faithful Friend.
Many more examples on Peter Beales to consider.

Doodledog

valdali

Be careful with Red Robins though, they can get very big which might make it less portable. I guess you can prune them, but it's likely to be an ongoing job. They are easy-care otherwise though.

Thanks. I'm no gardener😀.

The Red Robin is in a deep (tall) pot on a patio, so it can only grow so much, as the roots will be contained in the pot. It's a lollipop one, and will be pruned if it gets too bushy. It has a lot of scope though, as there is space around it, so if it survives my TLC I don't mind if it grows quite tall.

My red Robin has had a stay of execution. I realised last night that we were about to have a downpour so I quickly cut it back but not totally. The petals were literally going everywhere and me and the dog were treading them into the house. So I hacked it back as much as possible. It’s still pot bound with the roots growing into the ground, though, so I need to move it without damaging the roots too much.