plant that like cold

[CiderMonkey]

I'd like to get a fairly large pot plant for our porch but it gets quite cold in there. Any ideas of something that would do well in there?

[Consie]

Fatsia Japonicas are lovely - I have one outside on a north facing position and it is very happy. see this link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/316.shtml

[andyjevs]

Why not try some of the semi exotic plants. Norfolk Island pine (auricaria sp), Lemon broom (cytissus racemosus), Leadwort (plumbego capensis), Bourgainvillia, Pheonix palms, even some of the citrus would be ok.

As Consie says...a fatsia would grace any cold porch or garden.

[logman]

For a cold porch, whatever aspect it is facing, i can highly recomend the Bay laurel (Laurus nobalis) Although its from the medeterainian, its as tough as old boots and obviously with the limited area of a porch, something with an upright habit such as this would be ideal, its also evergreen and the leaves can also be used in the kitchen in soups and stews etc. You can buy them ready trained or train it youe self to your own preference.

I know you said "cold" but if your porch is sheltered from cold-drying winds and severe frosts, you might like to try, Star jasmine (jasmine Trachelospermum) The soft seductive scent of this plant makes it the perfect container specimin to be placed by the side of a door where ths scent will be appeciated by all who pass through.

Tip avoid anything with a sprawling or spikey habit..

Good Luck..

[andyjevs]

A few more that have just springed to mind

Dwarf banana (musa sp)
Pomegranite (punica granatum)
Succulents such as crassula sp (money plant)
Bottlebrush (Calistemon citrinus)
Lantana
Cassia

[rampart]

We have had great luck with pansies. They will last through snow and still keep their blooms. It is smart to fertilise them with blood meal and some sort of nitrogen to really make them flourish. We plant them (well, the gardner does) every winter.

[logman]

Now that sounds like a good idea, your specemin plant in the middle of a large container with pansy's planted around the edge to set if off, brilliant!

Another reliably hardy shrub, which takes well to pot culture is the Japanese spindle (Euonymus fortunei) var "sunspot" It will endure any cold weather you can throw at it and will brighten up the place with its green and gold variegated leavs all year round !

[Impret-Sir]

If you donr nesessarily want it to flower, I have had a couple of cordylines out side in big pots throughout the winters for about three years without any ill effects. A big red one, and a less exciting green one.