Get the Look

What You Need

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Dark grey pot, about 40 cm (16 in) square

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Drainage crocks

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Potting mix

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Plants

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1 ‘Double Zahara Yellow’ Zinnia (Zinnia marylandica)

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1 ‘Chiapas’ dahlia (Dahlia)

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1 ‘Bright Violet’ geranium (Pelargonium)

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1 ‘Hot Pink’ geranium (Pelargonium)

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1 ColorBlaze® ‘Lime Time’ Black Dragon (Coleus)

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1. Cover the hole in the bottom of the pot with drainage crocks.
2. Half-fill the pot with potting mix and plant the taller yellow zinnia and dahlia toward the back. Check the plants’ root balls are sitting an inch or so below the rim of the pot and add or remove potting mix, as required.
3. Next, plant the two geraniums in front of the zinnia and dahlia. As they grow, they will bush out and the pretty scalloped leaves will soften the edge of the pot. Lastly, I tucked the coleus in at the side.
4. Again, check all the root balls are level, fill any gaps between the plants with more potting mix and firm in gently.
5. Position the pot in a warm, sunny spot, water well and allow to drain.

Aftercare — Keep deadheading the geraniums, and you will enjoy more flowers through the season. Geraniums are perennials, although they are often grown as annuals and disposed of at the end of the summer. However, it’s possible to overwinter them for planting again the following spring. There are various ways to do this, but the most practical one, especially if you only have a few specimens, is to plant them in individual plastic pots and keep them in a light, well-ventilated, frost-free place. Make sure the plants aren’t touching each other, too. Water sparingly (the best time is in the morning) when the plants show signs of wilting, and ensure the water can drain from the pots.

Tip — Many people love coleus for their foliage and think they look their best before flowering, so pinch off the flowers when they appear if you wish.