yeh have looked at some succulents im not sure im a fan. i only want something small and not to encroaching on the pathway or driveway. later there will be a garden infront of the windows to the right and the other side of the driveway. the better half and myself havent really found anything we like that will be small enough.

Thank you so much for your advice, in particular to bigreader and Julie Herbert. Here's a photo but note Im awaiting all that timber to be removed and daughter yet to sweep up the potting mix. I tried a blue one on each side as well but it didn't look quite right. I actually think 2 on each side might be enough. Note, in the big pot on left is a ground cover that will sprawl and out and done pot all going well. Do you think/Any suggestions for anything else I could do in this area? I'm still getting used to colour of mat. Now for the back door. Ive put some pots there that I had painted a light grey. Im wondering if they dont provide enough contrast with deck. Your thoughts? I was going to put a buxus in the one on the right (purely because they're are numerous in garden I can poach).

Crotons are dramatic and easy care. They are also quite inexpensive to buy. They do well in either full sun or part shade and tend to be most showy in part shade. You really need to live subtropics though to get the best out of them. If you live temperate then some garden classics will do well in that spot. The classic lavender and geranium. Both showy perrennials that are easy care and thrive on neglect. They do require an annual prune them to keep them from going leggy. NOt your thing? How about this recent favourite. The fiddle leaved fig. They can grow enormously tall in the ground. But in pots they are easy to maintain a particular size. They are often used as house plants in smaller sizes. They do offer a dramatic large glossy leaf.

Climate and orientation is always useful information for plant recommendation requests. Is there a reason you want pots? Plants in pots can dry out faster, how fast can depend on the pot material, and if the plant grows fast and becomes rootbound that affects its vigour and it will need repotting, so it's a higher maintenance choice. I love pots but I've found it harder to find suitable plants and to keep them happy so where practicality and aesthetics allow for a garden bed that would be my first choice. If you are renting I think asking the landlord for permission to put up sheer curtains would be a quicker and more successful solution.