Patch & Pot

Plant database

A library for small spaces

Edibles, herbs, fruit and flowers that thrive in pots, patches and windowsills.

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Good picks for autumn

From our library — tuned to what's worth starting in September. Set your region for picks tailored to your climate.

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Nerine

Shimmering pink lily-stars in October when little else is flowering.

Full sunLowEasy

Michaelmas Daisy

Drifts of lavender-pink daisies in October — late nectar for bumblebees.

Full to partialModerateVery easy

Radish

Ready to eat in just 4 weeks – fastest reward in gardening.

Full to partialRegularVery easy

Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Succulent plates that turn from pink to brick — September pollinator buffet.

Full sunLowVery easy
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Herb

St John's wort

St John's wort is a hardy perennial herb with bright yellow flowers traditionally used for medicinal purposes. It thrives in sunny locations with minimal care and can spread vigorously.

Herb

Lavender

Lavender is a drought-tolerant perennial herb prized for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery foliage. It thrives in sunny, dry conditions and is ideal for small containers.

Flower

David Austin White Rose

David Austin English roses are renowned for their classic cupped blooms, fragrance, and disease resistance. White varieties like 'Claire Austin' and 'Generous Gardener' combine old-rose charm with repeat flowering.

Flower

Dutch iris

Dutch iris are spring-blooming bulbs prized for their elegant flowers in blue, purple, yellow, and white. They naturalize well and make excellent cut flowers.

Vegetable

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Tender annual

Train up a trellis to save space. Pick small and often.

Full sunFrequentMedium

Flower

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

Half-hardy annual

Peppery edible flowers that thrive on neglect — perfect first flower.

Full to partialLowVery easy

Flower

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Hardy annual

Climbing fragrant blooms — the scent is the whole point.

Full to partialRegularEasy

Legume

Runner Bean

Phaseolus coccineus

Half-hardy annual

Twining climber with scarlet flowers — needs a tall wigwam.

Full sunRegularEasy

Legume

Pea

Pisum sativum

Hardy annual

Sweetest fresh from the pod — needs canes or netting to scramble up.

Full to partialModerateEasy

Legume

Mangetout

Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

Hardy annual

Flat pods eaten whole — pick every other day to keep them coming.

Full to partialModerateEasy

Legume

Sugar Snap Pea

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

Hardy annual

Plump crunchy pods you can eat shell-and-all — kid favourite.

Full to partialModerateEasy

Squash

Gherkin

Cucumis sativus

Tender annual

Pick at finger-length for pickles, daily, to keep the vine cropping.

Full sunFrequentEasy

Climber

Clematis

Clematis × hybrida

Hardy perennial

Cold feet, sunny head — shade the pot, train the stems for years of bloom.

Full to partialRegularMedium

Climber

Jasmine

Jasminum officinale

Hardy perennial

Star-flowered evening perfume — train up an obelisk in a tall pot.

Full to partialModerateEasy

Climber

Wisteria

Wisteria sinensis

Hardy perennial

Cascades of lilac chains — needs the right pruning twice a year.

Full sunModerateMedium

Climber

Honeysuckle

Lonicera periclymenum

Hardy perennial

Twining cottage classic with evening perfume — moth-pollinated.

Full to partialModerateEasy

Cut flower

Sweet Pea 'Spencer'

Lathyrus odoratus (Spencer)

Hardy annual

Frilled large-flowered Spencer types — the florist's standard.

Full sunRegularEasy