Advice and ideas needed, please!

[Daisy]

We have three large ceramic pots which live against the fence on the path down the side of our house. They get very little sun (an hour or so in the morning) and it's damp most of the time. I like them there because they look nice through the kitchen window when OH is doing the washing up (hahaha).

For years they have had a variegated Eleagnis (can't remember the variety),

a Pieris Forest Flame https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/95172/...-Flame/Details

and a Choisya Sundance

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Search?query=Choisya%20ternata

They've have all done well for about 15 years but eventually got too woody and in the autumn I threw them all out.

So now I've got these lovely rich blue glossy pots standing empty.

Any ideas would be welcome, ladies. I want evergreens, any scent, flowers, interesting foliage would be bonuses.

[Oma]

I would be interested to hear what colourful things would grow in shade too Daisy, the bottom of our little garden is in the shade and everything dies ,
You need something for hubby to see when he's tied to the kitchen sink

[Plantaholic]

What about the lovely Fragrant Box Sarcococa, I have a Hamamelis growing in a very large pot with your lovely blue plant around it. Pieris is another I grow in a pot. Not sure if these would like it if they are in complete shade.

[Daisy]

Plant - lovely ideas, thank you. We had a Pieris in one of the pots, and actually it did really well - it was there for about 17 years! - before it got too woody. What a coincidence - I bought a fragrant box Sarcococa just a few weeks ago, intending to put it in the front garden but it's still in its pot because of the weather being too wet to plant it. It smells absolutely beautiful. So if that would cope with the conditions it's a good possibility.

Hamamelis sounds brilliant, too. I've just had a look on the RHS site and it suggests full or partial sun. I'll put it down as a possible - I can always ask if it will 'do' in mostly shade. Looking at other varieties there's a fabulous vibrant orangey one (would go really well with GrannyJules' new kitchen (photos on FB) - Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena', but at £89.99 it's a bit too much of a risk!!!

[Grauntie Mag]

How about some small bamboos Daisy? There are some really attractive ones.

[Daisy]

GM - what a brilliant idea - I'd never thought of them. Many thanks.

And in pots I wouldn't have to worry about them being invasive. I've got a pretty variegated clump of bamboo by the compost bins, and they are so non-invasive they only just survive, but I love them.

[Grauntie Mag]

I have two huge pots with big ones in Daisy. I use them as a screen at the side of the house to disguise the bin area. I love the sound of the rustling leaves on a breezy day.

[Daisy]

GM - what a lovely idea - I like the sound of them as well.

I've just been looking on the RHS plants site, and there are so many different varieties. I shall have to do some careful reading when I've got a bit more time.

[Qwerty]

Would like to help but it beats me 🤔

[Daisy]

Awwwww, thanks, anyway, Qwerty.

I must admit I love choosing new plants, but I've given up trying to force plants to grow in unsuitable conditions so I try to get it 'right' first time. It's so sad when something yo've lovingly planted and tried to nurture turns into a soggy brown mess!