Get the Look
What You Need
Galvanised metal dolly tub, about 90–120 cm (35–47 in) tall and 60 cm (24 in) in diameter
Drainage crocks
Gravel, horticultural sand, perlite or vermiculite (to improve drainage)
Potting mix
Plants
1 ‘Cornish Mist’ bellflower (Campanula persicifolia)
1 red snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
1 Da Caen Group garden anemone (Anenome coronaria)
1 ‘St Brigid Lord Lieutenant’ garden anemone (Anenome)
1 ‘Pink Blush’ dahlia (Dahlia)
1 ‘Rachel’s Place’ dahlia (Dahlia)
1 Gartenzwerg Group Icelandic poppy (Papaver nudicaule)
1 Spring Fever Series Icelandic poppy (Papaver nudicaule)
1 Tumbelina Susanna petunia (Petunia)
- Move the tub to its final position before planting, as it will be very heavy when filled with potting mix and watered in.
- Cover the base of the tub with a few drainage crocks, then fill with potting mix until it is about two-thirds full. Mix in a few handfuls of your chosen additive to improve the drainage (see Planting Techniques). This is an informal display, so you can position the plants where you wish, but I suggest planting the tall central bellflower first. Ensure the top of the plant’s root ball is an inch or so below the rim of the tub and add or remove potting mix, as required.
- As the tub will be viewed from all sides, surround the bellflower with the other plants, placing the smaller ones near the edge so they won’t be hidden from view. Plant the petunia right at the edge so it will trail over the side.
- Check the root balls of all the plants are level and ensure there are no gaps that could be plugged by a small plant.
- Fill in the gaps between the plants with more potting mix and firm in gently. Water well and allow to drain.
Aftercare — Deadhead the petunia, snapdragon and dahlias regularly to encourage the plants to produce more flowers and so extend the season of interest.
Tip — You may not want to spoil your display, but the flowers of the annual Icelandic poppy can be cut for a vase indoors – simply sear the ends of the cut stems with boiling water after cutting.
