Sedges, lilyturf, periwinkle, clematis and lavender are among the compact, long-lived plants that the RHS Plant Finder lists as suited to growing in a pot on a patio. This collection is limited to packs of 12 or fewer, so it suits small spaces. These are young plants, usually in 9 cm pots, and they will need potting on into a larger pot of your own before they fill out. Free tracked delivery to Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which plants suit a patio or a pot?
Lavender, sedges, lilyturf, periwinkle, clematis, euonymus, bellflowers and salvias are all recorded by the RHS as staying compact or climbing on a support, and most are evergreen or semi-evergreen, which keeps a patio looking planted in winter. The figures below come from the RHS Plant Finder, using only what it states for each plant. Sizes are the RHS ranges, so they describe plants growing in the ground; a pot may limit them.
| Plant | RHS hardiness | Size (height x spread) | Sun | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender (Lavandula) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | 0.1 to 1 m x 0.1 to 1.5 m | Full sun | Evergreen, summer flowers; the RHS lists it as drought tolerant and suited to sandy, loam or chalky soil |
| Sedge (Carex morrowii, C. oshimensis 'Evergold') | H7 (to about -20 °C) | 0.1 to 0.5 m x 0.1 to 0.5 m | Full sun or partial shade | Evergreen foliage all year |
| Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | 0.1 to 0.5 m x 0.1 to 0.5 m | Partial or full shade | Evergreen, autumn flowers; a plant for shadier spots |
| Periwinkle (Vinca minor) | H6 (to about -15 °C) | 0.1 to 0.5 m x 1 to 1.5 m | Full sun to full shade | Evergreen and trailing, spring and summer flowers |
| Clematis ('Rouge Cardinal', 'Multi Blue', 'Hagley Hybrid') | H6 (to about -15 °C) | 1.5 to 4 m x 0.5 to 1.5 m | Full sun or partial shade ('Hagley Hybrid': partial shade) | Deciduous climbers with summer to autumn flowers; need a support |
| Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus, E. fortunei) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | 0.5 to 4 m x 0.1 to 2.5 m | Full sun or partial shade ('Emerald 'n' Gold' also full shade) | Evergreen; size varies widely by variety, so check the product page |
| Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana, C. portenschlagiana) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | up to 0.5 m x 0.1 to 0.5 m | Full sun or partial shade | Low summer-flowering plants for the edge of a pot |
| Sage (Salvia nemorosa) | H6 (to about -15 °C) | 0.1 to 0.5 m x 0.1 to 0.5 m | Full sun or partial shade ('Ostfriesland': full sun) | Deciduous, summer flowers |
Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea, H4, about -5 °C) and bamboo (Fargesia rufa, H5) are also in the collection, but the RHS gives both a mature height of 2.5 metres or more, so they need a very large pot and strong support or space.
Our plants arrive small: plan to pot them on
Our young plants arrive in 9 cm pots. They are not patio-ready specimens and they do not come in decorative planters. Pot them on into a larger pot with drainage holes, using peat-free compost. The RHS advises a pot only slightly larger than the rootball, because a much bigger one holds excess wet compost that can rot the roots. You can also put several small plants into one large pot. Spring is generally the best time to pot on, and early autumn is also fine for long-term plants.
Drainage, compost and watering
- Drainage: the RHS says drainage holes in the base are essential. Raise pots on feet or bricks so the holes stay clear, and remove saucers in winter so pots are not left standing in water.
- Compost: the RHS recommends peat-free compost. Multi-purpose peat-free compost suits short-term plantings, while a soil-based peat-free mix such as John Innes No. 3 suits long-term plants.
- Watering: pots dry out faster than open ground, so check them daily in warm or windy weather. Larger pots hold more compost and dry out more slowly. The RHS notes that leathery plants such as lavender are less demanding than soft, leafy ones.
- Feeding: the RHS suggests a general-purpose liquid feed from April to the end of August for hungry plants, or controlled-release fertiliser at planting for long-term shrubs. No feeding is needed in winter.
Looking after pots in winter
The RHS says the main winter danger is the compost freezing, because roots in a pot are more exposed than roots in the ground. Group pots together near a house wall, wrap them in fleece or bring them under temporary cover. Move pots under cover if the compost becomes sodden, and keep checking evergreens at least weekly, as they may need water if they get no rain. Any half-hardy plant you add yourself, such as agapanthus (RHS H3, about 0 °C), should be moved somewhere frost-free.
What this list does and does not mean
A plant on this list is one the RHS describes as suitable for the conditions shown, not one guaranteed to thrive in any pot. Where a plant is listed as tolerating a condition, that is not the same as preferring it. Data comes from the RHS Plant Finder and PFAF, checked October 2026. Hardiness codes are RHS ratings, and the temperatures shown are the warm end of each band.
Frequently asked questions
Which plants from this collection suit a shady patio?
The RHS lists lilyturf (Liriope muscari) for partial or full shade, and periwinkle (Vinca minor) for sun through to full shade. Sedges, clematis and bellflowers are listed for full sun or partial shade.
Do the plants come in pots I can display?
No. They are young plants in 9 cm pots and need potting on into a larger pot of your own, with drainage holes and peat-free compost.
Can I leave a plant in the same pot all year?
Usually for a season while it establishes, but the RHS says roots eventually fill a pot and growth slows, so plan to pot on or refresh the compost, ideally in spring.
Which plants here are drought tolerant?
The RHS data we hold marks lavender, passionflower and Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus) as drought tolerant. Even those need watering while they settle into a pot.
Where can I read more about planting for tricky spots?
See our collections of drought-tolerant plants, gravel garden plants and plants for exposed sites, or our guide to choosing and planting a hedge in Ireland.