Get the Look
What You Need
1 pale terracotta pot, about 35 cm (14 in) in diameter and 40 cm (16 in) tall
Drainage crocks
Potting mix
Perlite or vermiculite (to improve drainage)
Plants
2 ‘Kirkii’ hebe (Hebe)
1 ‘Ponytails’ Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima)
1 ‘Chocamoca’ chocolate cosmos (Cosmos astrosanguineus)
- Cover the hole in the bottom of the pot with drainage crocks to prevent it becoming clogged with potting mix. I added some perlite/vermiculite to the potting mix to improve the drainage as these plants prefer a well-drained soil.
- Fill the pot two-thirds full with potting mix. Plant the two hebe first – positioning them towards the front of the pot. Check the root balls of both plants are sitting an inch or so below the rim of the pot, adding or removing potting mix, as required.
- Add the Mexican feather grass next, planting it just behind the hebe so the delicate flowerheads can arch elegantly above them. Finally, plant the cosmos in front of the hebe – this fills the space at the edge of the planter nicely and provides some further colour when in flower.
- Check the root balls of all the plants are level and fill any gaps with more potting mix if required. Firm in gently.
- Position the planter, water well and allow to drain.
Aftercare — Deadhead the hebe regularly to ensure further flushes of flowers. If you wish, trim the hebe all over in early winter to keep the plants healthy and tidy. Cut back the leaves of the Mexican feather grass in early spring before the new foliage starts to emerge.
Tips — The Mexican feather grass does not like to sit in wet potting mix, so ensure you provide ample drainage and water sparingly in winter. Although hebes are happy in sun or partial shade, the Mexican feather grass and cosmos require full sun to thrive, so place the pot in a sunny spot for the best results.
