Please advise us on whaty to put in the large tubs at the front of our church
United Kingdom 
Please advise us on what to put in the large tubs at the front of our church. They are somewhat shaded and dont get much benefit from rain. We need something that gives colour all year round and needs relatively low maintenance. We are in the north east of scotland so can be windy.
8 Jun, 2011
Answers
Agree with Kildermorie - but only if someone is prepared to water when necessary, particularly during summer. Rain itself often is not sufficient for containers because not enough of it gets in there even if fully exposed to it. The ivies will also need to come out once a year and be split and replanted, or their roots will take over the whole tub, but its pretty simple to do. If you can sort out the watering, you could add begonias for a bit of summer colour too.
8 Jun, 2011
Whereabouts are you in NE Scotland... weather is going to be a consideration if you are in, for example, somewhere like Braemar.
8 Jun, 2011
I would use variegated euonymus. Tough, obliging and colourful all year round. If there are any gaps you could put daffodils in the spring and begonias in the summer.
9 Jun, 2011
I would put a Picea glauca in the middle of each tub. They are attractive but slow, small growing conifers. Add some decorative ivy plants around the tub say at 3,6,9 and 12 o'clock. Between these mix in some Primula and Primorose for colour. In addition I would add some bulbs - daffs and Amaryllis for early spring colour, Anemones for summer, and Crocus for late Christmas.
Pretty low maintenance.
8 Jun, 2011