Plant Suggestions

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect the failure of the Busy Lizzie plugs triggered it, but: I have been asked what short hardy colourful plants can be planted in the pots in a front garden to hopefully bloom throughout the year (well as many warmer months as possible anyway). Without further clarity I'm assuming a maximum height of 6". I tried websearches but it ignores criteria I searched for and gives multiple unhelpful misses, so thought I'd ask you enthusiasts. Thanks.

[TonyV]

OG i would go for pansys and a geranium mix, just have to keep them watered and fed.

[Togo]

Gazanias! Try and get the Firecracker variety. They love the sun and are hardy. Can be put in pots or the ground and will flower prodigiously if dead headed as the flowers wilt.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gazanias&;qpvt=gazaneas&FORM=IGRE

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks. All suggestions welcomed and I'll pass on.
Things being as they are at present, plants that prefer prefer water/feed once a week (or less often) rather than every day, would be an advantage.

[mightymouse]

Dwarf bedding Begonias.

[spathiphyllum]

Lavender - good for the bees. Smells nice.

[TonyV]

OG if they are in pots they need watering, but these drought resistant but no flowers, any variety of suckulant look good and if you get different varieties can give you the impression of flowers. Just an idea?

[Togo]

Begonias are another great plant to guarantee flowers right into Autumn. Virtually pest free and slugs do not munch them. There are many varieties but we always go for the ones with the larger flowers. Expensive to start with but if you lift the corms in October or early November you can put them away and replant them again next year. If you are darn sarf it is possible to leave them in the ground but prolonged heavy frost will av em. Go for the deep red, Apricot, or Yellow flowering types with the big blousy blooms. Always deliver.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=begonia+varieties+images&qpvt=begonia+varieties+images&FORM=IGRE

[Togo]

Begonias and Gazanias both meet your watering regime requirements.

[woofgang]

herbs with hefty addition of dwarf lavenders if dry and sunny.

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks all.
Will check out what needs planting/germinating now and pass on your suggestions.

[AyBeCee]

Bizzie Lizzies (Impatiens) prefer humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soil so maybe its wise to look for plants that require less water. As previously suggested Lavender is good, but not all lavenders are hardy, however Ganzias are little troopers that will give you an abundant show of jolly flowers well into October and don't mind a bit of neglect.

[Maydup]

Gazania will be ideal. They are short, colourful, flower well, and drought resistant. Here's some tips and info on Gazanias.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gazania/gazania-treasure-flowers.htm

[Old_Geezer]

Update: she still hasn't purchased anything. We did look for the Firecracker Gazanias but they seemed to be coming from the same place. Jersey Plants Direct, and Gardening Direct seem to be the same if one compares websites, and I suspect Saga of just being a reseller. Tried to order but their system wouldn't allow it. It found her address, but didn't fill anything in the 'town' box, wouldn't allow a hand edit, and would not send to an address without the compulsory 'town' box. Extremely frustrating. I did complain but all the reply e-mail seemed interested in was getting us to call. No promise of fixing the garbage system, no offer to take the order by reply. Decided this wasn't the sort of company we wanted to deal with when they can't even get their system running and have no indication they take it seriously.

I believe she said she'd tried begonias in the past, but can't recall why they weren't being tried again. So the search presently goes on.

[Prudie]

I'd go for something easy - pansies or their smaller cousins violas (which have the advantage of not needing dead-heading) will put on a show all summer, as will petunias.

[Old_Geezer]

Well: plants were planted yesterday. Gave up on getting firecracker but ordered a variety called Kiss. Will probably come up singing Crazy Crazy Nights.

Thanks all.

[megfitz]

Bit late but just caught up with this question, I can recommend Gaillardia,hardy, large coloured daisy like flowers shades of yellow,orange and crimson ,try Arizona Sun,Mesa Bright, there is a red variety also think it’s called Burgundy something.