Tawny terracotta Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × Verbascum ‘Helen Johnson’
3 × bronze fennels
3–5 sedums
5 × Diascia barberae ‘Hopleys Apricot’
large terracotta pot
The coppery blooms of Verbascum ‘Helen Johnson’ take centre stage in this pot, the tall flower spikes rising above the other plants, giving height to the display. Don’t be too quick to deadhead this plant at the end of the summer, as birds will feast on the seedheads and the spikes will look dramatic when outlined by frost.
To either side of the verbascum we have planted tall bronze fennel, whose wispy, feathery foliage adds texture and movement to the display. Cut this plant back to the soil each year, otherwise it could grow to 1.8m (6ft) high.
Softening the edge of the pot is low-growing purple sedum. We used two different varieties for added interest, Sedum ‘Ruby Glow’, for its green purple leaves and red flowers, and S. ‘Vera Jameson’, for its purple-pink leaves and pink flowers, but you can just use several plants of one variety if you prefer. Cut them back after flowering to maintain their compact shape.
The planting is finished off with the delicate flowers of Diascia ‘Hopleys Apricot’, which add spots of colour amongst the foliage and weave their way amongst the tumbling sedums.
TIP
Most of these plants are perennials and will keep on going year after year. However, diascias are short-lived, so they will need to be replaced anew each year.
Bold as brass Planting time: spring
You will need:
1 × coleus
2 × dwarf dahlia
25cm (10in) pot
A plant more often confined to indoors, coleus has stunning foliage and is easily grown from seed. Solenostemon ‘Kong Mosaic’ is particularly striking, as it has huge leaves that are reminiscent of stained-glass windows. This plant will produce blue flowers, but picking off the flower buds as they appear will result in the plant producing larger, more impressive leaves.
You can count on dahlias to pack a colourful punch to any display, as well as providing a continuous supply of bright blooms. We’ve used Dahlia ‘Redskin Mixed’ here, whose reddish-purple foliage is a worthwhile bonus. Cut off faded flower stems regularly to encourage further buds. Other great performing dahlias for pots are the Gallery range.
TIP
Dig up the tubers of the dahlia in this pot and overwinter them in a frost-free place. Then you can replant them the following year.
Bright cube Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × hosta
2 × busy Lizzie
2 × bugle
medium-sized, wide pot
Hostas come in a huge range of leaf shapes, sizes and colours and look wonderful underplanted with colourful foliage and flowers. To avoid leaves ending up like paper doilies, protect plants from slugs and snails. At the end of the summer, hostas can be moved into the border, where they will reappear each spring for years to come.
All busy Lizzies are happy in shady conditions. For the prettiest effects, look out for varieties with colourful leaves, such as Impatiens ‘Fiesta Ole Peppermint’ (shown here on the left of the pot).
Hardy and excellent for ground cover, bugles will weave their way under the other plants, quickly covering the exposed compost. At the end of the summer they can be planted out in the garden, where they will soon spread. This variety (to the right of the pot) is called Ajuga ‘Golden Beauty’, but you’ll find a good range of alternatives at the garden centre.
TIP
Busy Lizzies are too tender to survive outdoors all year round, so take cuttings in summer and grow them indoors ready for planting the following spring.
Rose companions Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × miniature patio roses
1 × rue
1 × pale green thyme
3 × garlic chives
3 × small lavender
window box
Position two rose bushes at equal distances along the container. We used bright red roses, but choose your favourite colour. To keep the blooms coming, deadhead them as the flowers fade and apply a liquid feed every three weeks during the growing season. Roses often fall victim to pests such as aphid, but the other plants here have been carefully chosen to keep them at bay.
We planted the compact variety of rue, Ruta graveolens ‘Jackman’s Blue’, between the roses to add texture and colour from its aromatic, intensely glaucous blue-green foliage. This plant is hardy, but if it should fail it is easily grown from seed sown outdoors in spring. (Beware of this plant’s sap, however, which can burn your skin on contact.)
Thyme is known for its aromatic leaves and so is a good companion plant here (see tip). We used a variety with light green foliage, Thymus pulegioides ‘Foxley’.
Garlic chives add height and movement to the arrangement, as well as more aromatic foliage to keep the pests at bay.
Lavender plants bring a silvery touch to the arrangement and a wonderfully evocative fragrance to a summer day.
TIP
Roses tend to be plagued by aphid, which are deterred by strong scents. The fragrant plants in this display will keep them at bay, but you can use any combination of strongly scented herbs, or other plants, to achieve the same results.
Rich red velvet Time to plant: spring
You will need:
4 × dark Regal pelargoniums
4–6 Trifolium repens ‘Dragon’s Blood’
3 × Alonsoa meridionnalis ‘Fireball’
3 × Zaluzianskya ovata
large terracotta bowl
The deep crimson petals of Pelargonium grandiflorum ‘Chocolate’ gives this display the rich red velvet of its title. There are many Regal pelargoniums available in this shade of red, including the popular ‘Lord Bute’, which would work well with pink, rather than orange, accent planting. Keep the flowers coming all summer by regular deadheading and, as these plants can be frost tender, boost your stock by taking softwood cuttings in spring or late summer.
The splashes of burgundy on the leaves of Trifolium repens ‘Dragon’s Blood’ echo the dark Regal pelargoniums. This plant will spread happily to fill the pot by the end of the summer, so trim it to keep it under control, but let it go later if you want it to self-seed for next year.
Alonsoa meridionnalis ‘Fireball’ shoots up from the planting like sparks from a bonfire, adding dramatic spurts of colour amongst the richer tones and foliage. A perennial most often grown as an annual, you can sow seed outdoors in late spring.
Zaluzianskya ovata placed around the edge of the bowl softens the rich colours. The delicate, pink-tinged daisy stars will spread and tumble over the sides as the summer progresses.
TIP
Deadhead the pelargoniums and trim the other plants, which can spread quite quickly once established, to keep them looking neat and to encourage them to bloom.
Heady climber Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × star jasmine
1 × verbena
1 × heuchera
2 × thyme
large, deep pot
plant support
The star jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides, is a stunning, sweet-scented climber which will add height to a display. Train the stems to a wigwam of cones or an ornamental plant support. It is too tender to be left outdoors all year round in many gardens, so growing it in a pot is a great solution, as you can simply bring it indoors when the weather turns cold. To keep it in shape, cut back any unruly growth in early spring.
Verbenas are useful as they scramble through other plants and also trail down the side of a pot. We’ve used a purple one here, but there is a wide range of other flower colours to choose from. Either raise seeds in spring or buy young plants from the garden centre.
Don’t worry if you can’t find Heuchera ‘Silver Scrolls’, as there are plenty of other beautiful varieties of heuchera available. Most come in shades of purple or bronze, but you’ll also find ones with strong leaf markings like this one. They can all be planted in the garden afterwards, where they will thrive in sun or shade.
Rub the leaves of any thyme plant and you will release its delicious scent. This silver variegated form looks as good as it smells, and the leaves can be used in cooking, like any other thyme.
TIP
Throw in an extra thyme plant to beef up the fragrance of this pot. Take cuttings in summer, to make new plants, and root them in gritty compost.
Tropical colours Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × lantana
1 × fuchsia
1 × isotoma
large pot
Lantana is best known for its display of multicoloured blooms throughout the summer. The rough-textured foliage is also extremely aromatic, having a musky scent. Be careful if you have sensitive skin, though, as it can cause irritation. Cut plants back in spring if they begin to get too large.
Fuchsias such as ‘Thalia’ make an elegant alternative to their more colourful cousins; all have slim orange flowers that hang in delicate bunches at the end of the stems. Place it at the back of the display so it can rise above the other plants and be seen. Like most fuchsias, the plants are tender so it’s best to take cuttings in summer to grow indoors over winter.
Sometimes known as solenopsis, isotoma offers an explosion of star-shaped blooms that set off the other two plants to perfection and mingle amongst them. Remove the flowers as they fade to encourage the plant to produce more. If you can’t find isotoma, try blue trailing lobelia or fairy fan-flower for a similar, and equally effective, colour combination.
TIP
All these plants thrive in a sunny position, but they will last for several years if brought indoors over winter.
Sky-high blue Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × large agapanthus
large, square terracotta pot
This container is proof that simple arrangements can produce dramatic results. Agapanthus throws up breathtaking sky blue flowers on long elegant stems all through the summer. These plants may appear to be the last word in glamour, but they are also reassuringly easy to grow.
Happiest in pots, agapanthus flower most prolifically when they are slightly pot-bound, so plant them up in a container which is smaller than you’d usually use for two plants. Position the pot in full sun, water regularly, but sparingly, and feed the plant fortnightly during the growing season with a high potash fertilizer, such as tomato food.
Agapanthus can die in very cold spells, so move the container to a sheltered spot and protect the crowns over winter with a mulch of straw or ash.
It can take a couple of years for agapanthus to establish themselves, but give them time and you will be rewarded for your care with abundant flowers.
TIP
There’s no need to underplant the agapanthus here, for two reasons. The plants speak for themselves with their dense mane of strappy leaves and they also don’t appreciate the competition for nutrients from other plants.
Rich purple Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × pittosporum
1 × fairy fan-flower
1 × pelargonium
1 × astelia
1 × heuchera
large pot
With its bronze-flushed, glossy leaves, Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’ is one of the most attractive varieties of this evergreen shrub. Plant it at the back of the container, but as it is a dwarf variety, ‘Tom Thumb’ can be left for a while as it will only reach around 90cm (3ft) high.
The purple blooms of fairy fan-flower (Scaevola) trail down to cover the edge of the pot. The easiest way to reproduce this tender plant is to take cuttings in late spring or summer and grow them indoors during the colder months.
In a pot where foliage plays a strong role, lilac-pink trailing pelargoniums provide more welcome flowers. For blooms all summer, remove fading flowers and feed once a week with tomato food.
The spiky leaves of astelia add a dramatic backdrop to this display. This New Zealand native isn’t very hardy in the UK, so bring it indoors for the winter. If you can’t find astelia, go for a bronze-coloured grass, such as Carex flagellifera, instead.
Echoing the silver of the astelia, Heuchera ‘Silver Scrolls’ ties the display together. There are several similar-looking varieties if you can’t find ‘Silver Scrolls’. All can be planted out afterwards in a sunny or partially shaded spot.
TIP
Brighten up your patio and paint your pot with masonry paint to contrast the colours of your chosen plants.
Mauve and metallic Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × large or 3 × small Convolvulus cneorum
2 × French lavenders
1 × large or 3 × small Erysimum ‘Bowles’ Mauve’
3 × Sutera Abunda White
faux lead planter
The centrepiece of this display is silver-leaved Convolvulus cneorum, which looks good even after its white, bell-shaped flowers fade and its silver leaves remain, gleaming in the sunlight. These plants are well suited to containers, not least because they don’t appreciate cold, wet winters, and benefit from being moved under cover at this time.
Erysimum ‘Bowles’ Mauve’ adds height at the back of the display, its delicate stems holding its tall mauve flowers high above the other planting. Trim the plant lightly after flowering to prevent it getting leggy and to encourage it to keep flowering. It is an evergreen perennial, but it can be propagated by softwood cuttings in spring or summer if you want more plants.
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) echoes the purple colour theme of this container and balances the arrangement, placed on either side of the convolvulus. Their delicate scent makes this a fragrant delight on a summer’s day.
The pot is finished off with trailing Sutera Abunda White, which cascades down, softening the hard edges of the faux lead planter.
TIP
All these plants thrive in sunny spots with very well drained soil. So position the container carefully and add extra grit to your compost to improve drainage.
Spikes and spears Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × ivory thistle
3 × pheasant’s tail grass
3 × Sisyrinchium striatum
2–3 yellow or orange day lilies
tall, rectangular galvanised container
The silver and dark green colouring of the ivory thistle, Ptilostemon diacantha, sets the scene for the planting here. If you can’t get hold of this variety, try another thistle, such as the sea holly, Eryngium. Protect your hands and arms from its spikes when planting up this pot, and position it away from passers by.
The pheasant’s tail grass, Anemanthele lessoniana, brings a soft texture to this display. This evergreen grass has something for all seasons: its brownish-green leaves turn orange in late summer, purple-green flower spikes appear in autumn before winter coats it in glittering frost.
The sword-shaped, cream-striped leaves of Sisyrinchium striatum tumble through the planting, topped off with slender spikes of trumpet-shaped yellow flowers all summer. For more plants, divide this grass in early spring, or grow it from seed in spring or autumn.
Day lilies bring a wonderful splash of colour. They may only flower for a day or two, but one bloom swiftly follows another from late spring into summer. We used Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, for its very fragrant yellow flowers, one of many colours available.
TIP
When using any metallic container like this, insulate the plants against extremes of temperature by lining it first with bubble wrap or polystrene to just below soil level, before planting.
Tropical heat Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × bromeliad
1 × Indian shot plant
2 × New Guinea busy Lizzie
large square pot
Although usually grown indoors, many bromeliads (Guzmania) are suitable for use outdoors in summer. They come in a range of shapes and colours, forming rosettes of tough, waxy leaves. Most produce a stout central stem topped with clusters of showy bracts, so look good centrally placed in a pot.
Prized for their large, impressive, often colourfully variegated leaves, and their blowsy flowers in hot fiery shades, cannas, or Indian shot plants, are guaranteed to lend a tropical flavour to any planting scheme. Place them at the back of a display to add height.
Available in a variety of dramatic flower colours that are often coupled with variegated or coloured foliage, New Guinea busy Lizzies (Impatiens) are reliable and easy to grow in pots, indoors or out. Thriving in sun or shade, they will flower all summer long. We’ve underplanted the cannna and bromeliad with two vibrant colours to add zing to the scene.
TIP
Guzmanias and cannas are not completely hardy and need to be protected over winter in a frost-free place.
Leafy opulence Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × pelargonium
1 × castor oil plant
3 × lily
1 × Helichrysum petiolare
very large pot
Two vigorous fancy-leaved pelargoniums form the backbone of the display. We’ve used ‘Black Jubilee’ and ‘Pink Happy Thought’ but you’ll find a range of different varieties on sale in garden centres. All can be propagated by taking cuttings in summer to grow indoors over winter.
The large, hand-shaped leaves of a single castor oil plant add drama to the display. Ricinus communis ‘Carmencita’ is a particularly attractive variety, but any one will do. All can be easily raised from seed in spring. Keep moving the seedlings to larger pots as they grow, before planting out in late spring.
Fading ahead of the other plants, the lilies’ presence at the back of the display is only temporary. The gorgeous scent of oriental varieties, such as ‘Aubade’, more than compensates for its brevity.
The silvery stems of Helichrysum petiolare trail around at will among the other plants and over the edges of the pot. If the plant starts to get too large, simply cut it back and it will soon re-sprout. There is also a golden-leaved form of this handsome foliage plant called ‘Aureum’.
TIP
As the lilies die off before the other plants in this arrangement, sink them into the main pot in easily removable plastic pots, so you can whip them out of the display when they go over.
Pink haze Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × marguerite
1 × verbena
3 × nemesia
large square pot
A dwarf pale pink marguerite provides height and structure. We’ve used Argyranthemum ‘Summit Pink’, but any variety of this reliable plant will provide a first-class display. Take cuttings in summer to grow indoors over winter.
Available in a wide range of colours, including peach, red and purple, verbena is one of the most adaptable of all container plants. We’ve used Verbena ‘Lanai Bright Pink’, but you’ll find many varieties on sale in garden centres as both seeds and plants.
The semi-trailing habit of nemesia helps to soften the edges of the planting. We used a variety called Nemesia ‘Blue Lagoon’. But, again, you’ll find plenty of alternatives on offer. All are free-flowering and put on a superb show all summer long.
TIP
This is a great container for a sunny spot. Feed with tomato food once a week to encourage lots of flowers.
Colour ways Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × sedge
2 × dichondra
1 × rhodochiton
large, deep rectangular pot
Grasses make superb plants for containers, where their striking foliage is a great foil for other plants. The colour of this bronze sedge, Carex comans ‘Bronze Form’, sets off the recycled copper water tank beautifully and helps soften its straight edges. At the end of the summer the plants can be lifted and replanted in the garden in a sunny spot.
Perfect for softening the edges of the container, the trailing stems of Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ tumble to the ground. If you can’t find two dichondra, try the more widely available Helichrysum petiolare instead.
A climber is a useful way of balancing the height of a tall container like this one, and Rhodochiton atrosanguineus is a spectacular tender climber from Mexico. A simple wigwam of bamboo canes is perfect for supporting the plant’s stems; alternatively, try supports like trellis or a metal obelisk. Rhodochiton can be raised from seed sown in early spring, or buy young plants from a garden centre.
TIP
The plants in this container like a sunny spot but aren’t keen on excessive wet, so dress the surface of the compost with grit.
Rustic charm Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × begonia
1 × pelargonium
25cm (10in) pot
Begonias with colourful foliage, such as ‘Midnight Magic’, are most commonly seen as houseplants, but they also make great additions to summer containers as long as they’re kept out of direct sun.
Often thought of just for their flowers, there are many pelargonium varieties with equally attractive foliage. This is ‘Meadowside Midnight’, which has beautiful green-edged, bronze leaves with jagged margins. It’s also a great flowering variety that’s rarely without its delicate orange blooms.
TIP
This simple planting scheme works best with a simple container. Here we used a wooden butter churn bought at a reclamation yard.
Summer long Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × aster
2 × ‘Million Bells’
2 × pelargonium
1 × heuchera
large pot
The cheerful daisy-like flowers of asters provide a constant backdrop to brighten up displays when other plants are starting to flag in late summer and early autumn. Look for a dwarf variety such as ‘Alice Haslam’ when choosing one for a container, as tall varieties can reach up to 1.5m (5ft) high.
While more correctly known as a calibrachoa, ‘Million Bells’ looks like a miniature petunia. The flowers measure just 2cm (¾ in) across but make up for their smaller size by smothering the plant with colour for months on end. The variety used here is cherry-coloured, but there are lots of different ones to choose from.
A summer stalwart, pelargoniums flower their socks off as long as the faded blooms are removed. Choose from the hundreds of different varieties that exist. There are all sorts of different flower and leaf colours available. To make extra plants, take cuttings in summer to grow indoors over winter.
One of the most versatile foliage plants for containers and borders, heucheras retain their colourful leaves all year round. This is ‘Ebony and Ivory’, but you can take your pick from any of the great varieties that are now available.
TIP
All of these plants will happily transfer into the garden – just pop them into a sunny spot when the display is finished.
Molten moment Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × black-eyed Susan
5 × creeping zinnia
large pot
Most black-eyed Susans (Thunbergia alata) have orange-coloured flowers, but you can also find yellow varieties like this one. Trained up a wigwam of canes, the plants will soon smother their support in blooms. You can buy plants from the garden centre but they are also easy to raise from seed in spring.
Not seen as often as it should be, creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia) is worth looking out for in the garden centre. This variety is ‘Little Sun’, which tumbles over the front and sides of the pot, covering them with yellow daisies. It flowers non-stop from early summer until the first frosts of autumn.
TIP
Training the black-eyed Susan up canes is a great way of drawing the eye upwards and making a small space appear much bigger.
Oranges and lemons Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × osteospermum
1 × helichrysum
1 × lantana
large pot
Best known for colours such as pink and purple, osteospermum also has varieties in citrus shades, such as ‘Orange Symphony’ and ‘Lemon Symphony’. Whatever you choose, remove the faded flowers regularly to encourage the plant to produce more.
Foliage plants can be as vital as flowers in a stylish container display: they provide a splash of colour that remains constant throughout the summer, even when flowering plants have begun to fade. This Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ has soft, furry leaves and is a vigorous grower. Prune whenever necessary to prevent it from swamping the other plants.
Lantana camara is a tender shrub with fascinating flowers that change colour as they age, giving a beautiful multi-tonal effect. However, be careful when handling the plant if you have sensitive skin, as the aromatic foliage can cause irritation.
TIP
These plants bask in sunny positions. They are perfect for pots as they will cope better than most if you forget to water them occasionally.
Sizzling summer cocktail Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × bidens
1 × osteospermum
1 × lantana
5 × California poppy
1 × portulaca
large pot
The trailing stems and bright yellow, star-shaped flowers of Bidens ferulifolia make it a great choice for both containers and hanging baskets. It is easy to raise from seed indoors in spring.
We’ve used a dark purple osteospermum, ‘Malindi’, at the centre of this display, but there are lots of similar varieties. All will flower throughout the summer, especially if the blooms are removed as they fade. Take cuttings in summer and overwinter indoors to insure against losing plants in cold weather.
Look for a yellow-flowered form of Lantana camara to complement the other colours in the container. Wear gloves when handling the plant if your skin is sensitive, as the aromatic foliage can cause irritation.
California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are short-lived annuals, but add a good number and they will fill out any gaps at the beginning of the summer. This is ‘Thai Silk Lemon Bush’, but there is a wide range of varieties available. Sow them in spring in fibre pots.
Easily raised from seed in spring, Portulaca oleracea is a fleshy-leaved annual that thrives in dry conditions, so it won’t be stressed by erratic watering. It needs a sunny spot for the best display of its silky flowers.
TIP
Many of these plants can be raised from seed. Sow them into fibre pots and you can transplant them into the container without disturbing their roots.
Silver service Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × osteospermum
3 × helichrysum
3 × verbena
large trough
A trio of creamy-coloured, spoon-petalled osteospermums provide an eye-catching backdrop to the display. This variety is called ‘Nasinga Cream’, but you’ll find lots of suitable alternatives at the garden centre. Keep removing the flowers as they fade to encourage the plant to produce more.
At the front of the container is a tangled tumble of tiny silver Helichrysum microphyllum leaves. This handsome foliage plant withstands periods of dry and hot weather without missing a beat. If it outgrows its space, simply cut back the excess growth and it will soon re-sprout.
The blooms of the verbena stand out beautifully against the silver foliage of the helichrysum. This variety is ‘Blue Cascade’ and is one of many on offer at the garden centre. Either raise from seed in spring or buy young plants.
TIP
Adding shimmering hints to any sunny spot, this cool silver, cream and mauve colour scheme looks particularly good in a metal pot.
Sun lovers Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × eucalyptus
1 × coleus
1 × salvia
1 × gazania
1 × pelargonium
large pot
Although it will happily grow into a large tree if left alone, Eucalyptus gunnii also makes a great shrub with colourful metal grey foliage. Place it at the back of your pot and prune it back to its base each spring to encourage it to produce vigorous young stems.
Now better known as solenostemon, coleus is very easy to grow as an outdoor container plant. This variety is Solenostemon ‘Peter Wonder’, but there’s a huge range available, each offering bright, multi-coloured leaves.
With so much colourful foliage here, it’s good to include a few gorgeous flowers. And they don’t come much more striking than the intense blue of Salvia patens. These tender plants need to be brought indoors for winter or raised from seed each spring.
The grey, strap-like leaves of gazania tumbling over the front of this pot form a perfect foil for its brightly coloured, daisy-like flowers. It is easy to raise from seed sown indoors in early spring, or buy it as young plants.
Although primarily grown for their vibrant flowers, many pelargoniums also offer colourful and shapely leaves. Some are even scented, releasing pungent aromas such as lemon and mint when the foliage is gently rubbed.
TIP
Gazanias need full sun for their flowers to open completely, so put this container in a bright spot for best effect.
Summer greens Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × pelargonium
1 × bidens
1 × coleus
2 × pansy
large square pot
Scented-leaved pelargoniums are valuable not only for their aromatic foliage but also for their good looks. Select a plant with colourful leaves and place it at the back of the pot to provide interest all season: cream-edged ‘Annsbrook Beauty’ smells of lemon, or you could try the aptly named, brown-centred ‘Chocolate Peppermint’.
For a sprinkle of pretty yellow flowers all through the summer, bidens is hard to beat. Its scrambling habit means it will grow through the other plants, filling the spaces between the foliage. Plants are easy to raise from seed if you can’t find them at the garden centre in spring.
With their stunning range of foliage colours, coleus (or solemostemon) provide a good contrast for other plants. Either buy them from the garden centre or sow them from seed in spring. Remove any flower buds that appear, as these don’t look very attractive and will divert energy away from the leaves.
Pansies are commonly used in winter-flowering pots, but they also bloom well during summer. Take your pick from a range of colours and either buy young plants or sow from seed. To keep them blooming for longer, remove the flowers as soon as they begin to fade.
TIP
Trim the scented-leaved pelargoniums regularly to encourage new growth and keep them compact in this display.
Exotic beauty Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × coleus
1 × nemesia
2 × New Guinea busy Lizzie
large pot
For a knock-out effect and a touch of the tropics on your patio, use Solenostemon ‘Kong Scarlet’ (coleus) in this pot, with its huge, colourful leaves. Keep indoors until the danger of frost has passed in May or June. As snails and slugs love to eat this plant, stick copper tape or a smear of petroleum jelly around the top of the pot to stop them in their slimy tracks.
Although they’ve not been widely grown for long, nemesias really deserve to be popular, as they flower for ages. Many varieties have blooms that are sweetly scented. They mix brilliantly in this display, softening the dramatic foliage and flowers of the other plants.
Much bigger than ordinary busy Lizzies, New Guinea busy Lizzies (Impatiens) combine large, beautiful flowers with handsome foliage. They’re great for a shady spot.
TIP
Keep this pot well watered as New Guinea busy Lizzies wilt fast when dry, but they will also recover quickly if given a long drink. Feeding with tomato food helps too.
Short and spiky Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × ageratum
3 × pinks
3 × lilyturf
wide bowl or wide, shallow container
Place an ageratum at the centre of this display, but look for a dwarf form such as ‘Blue Danube’ to match the compact size of the lilyturf and pinks. This is a tender bedding plant that can be thrown away at the end of the summer and bought fresh each year.
This container includes a variety of pinks called ‘Mendlesham Minx’, whose maroon and white flowers have a powerful scent. There are lots of other varieties to try, but not all of them are perfumed so be careful to check the label before you buy. Cut off the flowers as they fade to encourage more.
There are very few plants as black in colour as the lilyturf, Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’. Its spiky leaves make the perfect partner for the similarly shaped, silvery foliage of the pinks. When the pot is dismantled it can be planted in a partially shaded spot, where it will gradually spread and cover large areas of ground.
TIP
These plants won’t cover the surface of the compost in one season, so make the container more attractive by dressing the soil surface with grit or coloured stones.
Seaside special Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × Carex buchananii
2 × blue fescue
2 × scabious
3 × thrift
recycled rubber tyre
Waving grasses pick up the seaside theme in this container. Carex buchananii is an evergreen sedge whose long orange-brown leaves arch above the other plants and looks good all year. This, and the blue fescue, Festuca glauca, are both excellent low-maintenance plants, requiring only minimal watering and a cut back in winter just before the spring growth appears.
The thrift (Armeria maritima) carries on the seaside theme and brings in splashes of colour with its profuse pink, white or purple flowers from late spring onwards. This plant still earns its place in late summer; the seedheads of the thrift turn papery yellow, so place the pot where the low afternoon sun will catch it and dramatically backlight it. Leave the seedheads for hungry winter birds and cut back the foliage in late February or March.
The lilac scabious echoes the purple accents in this pot. Here we used Scabious ‘Butterfly Blue’, which will flower from mid- to late summer. Keep deadheading it to encourage it to carry on blooming. If you want to keep this display going year after year, divide and replant this plant every three years to get the best from it.
TIP
All these plants thrive in very well drained soil and don’t like wet roots. Plant them in a free-draining compost mixed with a few handfuls of horticultural grit or sand, and raise the pot off the ground with feet or large stones.
Hand decorated Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × mealy sage
1 × ageratum
1 × cone flower
an old pot, approx 23cm (9in)
Blooming from summer to autumn, mealy sage is a reliable summer bedding plant. Salvia farinacea ‘Strata’ has blue and white flowers, but there are lots of alternatives to choose from. All are easy to raise by sowing seed indoors during spring.
The dwarf varieties of ageratum can look rather squat in a border, but at the front of a pot, as here, they are transformed. Ageratum can be found in shades of blue and purple, and can be sown from seed in spring. Once plants are blooming, it’s worth nipping off the old flowers to encourage more buds.
The cheery daisies of the cone flower (Rudbeckia) never fail to brighten the mood. Look for a dwarf variety, such as ‘Toto’, and sow the seeds indoors during the spring. Like all of the plants in this pot it’s an annual, so put it on the compost heap at the end of the season.
TIP
The simplest flower pot can be transformed with a dab of paint. For extra effect, scratch a simple pattern into the paint while wet.
French fancy Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × French lavender
2 × Swan River daisy
2 × helichrysum
23cm (9in) pot
French lavender, Lavandula stoechas, makes a pretty alternative to more traditional types of lavender. It flowers from late spring to summer with a wonderful fragrance. Put it in prime position in the pot and the silvery foliage will continue to look good after the flowers have gone.
Swan river daisy (Brachyscome) will tumble over the edges of the container and flower all summer. Pink and purple forms are a good alternative to the traditional blue-flowered varieties. Plants die in autumn but they are easy to raise by sowing seed indoors during the spring.
This gold-leaved Helichrysum petiolare, called ‘Limelight’, is a bright alternative to the more common silver-leaved version of this popular foliage plant. Although not considered hardy, it can stand mild winters outdoors if placed in a very sheltered spot. Trim back longer stems to spur on fresh new growth.
TIP
As the lavender plant is the focal point of this pot, cut back the blooms after flowering to keep it looking neat and bushy.
Bright and breezy Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × ornamental grass
2 × pelargonium
1 × heuchera
3 × alyssum
25cm (10in) shallow pot
Grasses have become all the rage in recent years and many look wonderful in containers. Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ is one of the finest, combining golden foliage with a billowy habit which sways above the other plants here. It will die back at the end of the year but will return in spring.
Pelargoniums are often ignored in favour of the many new types of patio plants, which is a real shame as they’re such great performers and their flowers and leaves come in a wide range of different colours and shapes. It’s best to buy plants or take cuttings, as they take a long time to raise from seed.
Good purple foliage is an important ingredient in the container gardener’s palette and ‘Black Beauty’ is one of the darkest shades of heuchera available. It is quite a new variety though, so if you can’t find it then try the more commonly available ‘Silver Scrolls’ or ‘Chocolate Ruffles’.
Often thought of as old-fashioned, alyssum is still a worthy container plant. Low-growing plants like this lavender-coloured alyssum, or a lobelia, are useful as they froth over the sides of the pot and cover any bare compost with flowers.
TIP
Plant the alyssum around the edge of the pot and under the other plants and it will provide a lovely platform for them to erupt from.
Golden beauty Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × conifer
4 × osteospermum
4 × ivy
large square pot
Not often used in pots, conifers make a useful centrepiece, as this Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Pygmaea Argentea’ proves. It has bright, feathery foliage and a compact habit. It is also hardy and relatively drought-resistant.
The friendly daisies of osteospermum need sun to open fully. To keep the display looking good, remove the old flowers as they fade. If you can’t find a yellow osteospermum variety, keep the colour theme going by using the golden or apricot-coloured daisies of gazania or arctotis instead.
Ivies are one of the most practical of all container plants, as they’re hardy, drought-tolerant and look great all year round. This ivy has gold-edged leaves, but there are also plain green and silver-edged varieties to choose from. Cut back any stems that start to look straggly.
TIP
To get the best from all the plants in this pot, position it in full sun. The osteospermum blooms will then open fully and the conifer will keep a better colour.
Mix and match Time to plant: spring
You will need:
4 × Pelargonium ‘Vancouver Centennial’
1 × fuchsia
standard-sized window box
The variegated bronze and brown foliage of this handsome pelargonium (‘Vancouver Centennial’) complements the earthy tones of the terracotta window box. The flowers are vivid but quite sparse, allowing the foliage to take centre stage. Like all pelargoniums, it loves a sunny spot. To create extra plants, take cuttings in summer and grow them indoors during the cold winter months.
With its rich orange-scarlet blooms, Fuchsia ‘Thalia’ makes the perfect match for the fiery flowers of the pelargonium and a striking focal point. Like the pelargonium, it’s easy to create extra plants by taking cuttings. Feed with tomato food to encourage plants to keep blooming.
TIP
Selecting similar tones of both plants and container helps to integrate the display. It also avoids dizzying colour clashes, which can be overpowering in a small space.
Chocolate and cloves Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × chocolate cosmos
4 × pink tall, but not too wide, pot
A chocoholic’s dream plant, the dark red flowers of the focal plant, chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus), really do smell like dark chocolate, and the plant is rarely without them from July to October. Chocolate cosmos does have a tender nature, though, so either bring plants indoors for the winter or take cuttings in summer that can be grown indoors until the following spring.
When choosing a variety of dianthus to grow, be sure to look for one that has retained the spicy clove-like scent that pinks were once famous for. Many modern varieties are sadly lacking in this, so it’s worth taking the trouble. ‘Gran’s Favourite’ or ‘Starlight’ are both good choices. Remove the flowers as they fade and give plants a light trim if they start to get straggly.
TIP
This container combines two wonderfully scented plants, so make sure you position it near a seating area so that you get the benefit.
Moody skies Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × heuchera
1 × nemesia
1 × verbena
1 × marguerite
1 × salvia
large, square, faux lead pot
Best known for their colourful leaves, heucheras also produce attractive flowers in spring and summer. These may be small in size, but the plant more than compensates with the sheer number of blooms it produces.
A classic plant for containers, nemesia is covered in flowers from early summer right up until autumn.
This verbena is a beautiful shade of lavender, but you’ll find a wide choice of other colours to choose from. Either buy plants from the garden centre in spring or raise your own from seed or cuttings.
Marguerite, also sold as Argyranthemum, is a tender perennial rarely seen without its cheery daisy-like flowers from the start of summer until the autumn frosts.
Take your pick from the wide number of varieties of salvia available, in colours such as pink, blue, purple and red. All enjoy a sunny spot and many have aromatic leaves.
TIP
Check the hardiness of your salvia, as some are tougher than others. Take cuttings of nemesia and marguerite and overwinter them indoors as both are too tender to stay outside all year round.
Candyfloss Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × pelargonium
4 × nemesia
standard-sized window box
A classic plant for containers and here used as a focal plant, pelargoniums keep on flowering no matter how sunny or dry it gets. Their flowers and leaves come in a huge range of colours, shapes and sizes, so pick a variety that takes your fancy.
The secret to keeping Nemesia denticulata covered in its lightly scented flowers for months on end is to remove the old blooms as soon as they fade. Plants reach around 30cm (1ft) tall and once established are surprisingly drought-tolerant. The two most widely available varieties are ‘Confetti’, which is pink, and ‘Blue Confetti’.
TIP
Keep this window box well watered and regularly remove faded flowers for the best effect all summer long.
Summer skies Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × arctotis
1 × ‘Million Bells’
1 × lantana
1 × salvia
shallow, wide pot
Arctotis is a pretty daisy native to the dry stony areas of South Africa – which explains its ability to withstand periods of drought in a container. Watch out for greenfly, as they are sometimes a problem.
Once thought to be a type of petunia, ‘Million Bells’ has now been recognised as a different plant, known as calibrachoa. Plants can be bought from the garden centre in spring, as they are propagated from cuttings instead of seed. Avoid over-watering them, as this can cause the foliage to turn yellow.
The orange-flowered variety of lantana is the one most commonly seen, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for other colours, such as this attractive shade of pale lemon. Plants bloom over a long period, from late spring to late autumn. Be careful when handling this plant if you are prone to allergies, as the leaves can irritate the skin.
Few flowers are as pure a shade of blue as this salvia. Choose from the deep blue of the species or the pale blue of Salvia patens ‘Cambridge Blue’. Both make great plants for containers as they are too tender to stay outdoors all year round. It’s easy to make new plants by either taking cuttings or sowing seed.
TIP
Choose a modern variety of arctotis for this pot, as these have been bred to keep their flowers open even when the weather is dull.
Spicy scents Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × ‘Million Bells’
2 × scented pelargonium
18cm (7in) pot
The rich cherry-red flowers of ‘Million Bells’ stand out beautifully against the green of the surrounding foliage. Buy plants from the garden centre in spring and be careful not to overwater, as they dislike having wet roots.
A quick rub of their leaves reveals the delicious scent of these leafy pelargoniums. We’ve used ‘Shottesham Pet’, which smells of fruit and nuts, and Fragrans Group, which smells of nutmeg. However you’ll find plenty of other varieties on offer, with scents ranging from lemon to rose.
TIP
Position this pot in a sunny spot to get the very best from both plants.
South African sun Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × arctotis
1 × osteospermum
18cm (7in) pot
Found in dry, stony soils in South Africa, arctotis is perfectly designed to put up with the dry conditions that container-growing often brings. Always choose modern varieties (such as ‘Kiss Gold’ and ‘Kontiki Mixed’), as these are less sensitive to light conditions than older ones: this means they are less likely to close their blooms in dull weather. Cuttings can be taken at any time of year to create new plants.
Native to grasslands, rocky mountains and forest edges in southern Africa, osteospermum have long been popular for their brightly coloured, daisy-like flowers.
TIP
Both plants are too tender to reliably stay outdoors all year round, so either take cuttings in summer or bring plants indoors before the arrival of the autumn frosts.
Pebble beach Time to plant: any time of year
You will need:
1 × alpine pink
2 × pratia
1 × gypsophila
small round pot pebbles chicken wire
The dwarf size of alpine pinks (such as this Dianthus ‘Fusilier’) perfectly suits the proportions of this container. They are available in a wide range of flower colours and make neat, cushion-like plants. Look out for dianthus varieties such as ‘Pink Jewel’, whose blooms have the traditional clove-like scent, lost to some modern types.
In contrast to the upright shape of the pink’s flowers, pratia spreads to make a low-growing mat of rounded leaves and pale blue flowers. Left undisturbed it would grow to cover a large area, but in a container it can easily be chopped back when it starts to overgrow its assigned space.
A white-flowered Gypsophila cerastiodes will tumble over the edge of the container, softening its appearance.
TIP
Make these alpine plants feel at home. Dress up a plain plastic container by hiding it inside a wire frame filled with pebbles.
Avant garde Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × arum lily
3 × hosta
3 × lilyturf
large round pot
A stunning focal point in this container, while not hardy enough to survive outdoors all year long, the tender types of arum lilies are perfectly suited to growing in summer containers. To create new plants in spring, simply split established clumps into smaller pieces, each with its own roots and leaves, in spring.
Mirroring the shape of the arum lily’s leaves, the hosta works well next to its exotic partner. This is a plain blue-green variety, but you’ll find lots of other colours on sale at the garden centre, including silver- and gold-edged types. All are susceptible to slug and snail damage, so be sure to protect plants.
Few plants are such a pure shade of black as the lilyturf (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’). Its evergreen leaves look good all year and plants will gradually increase in size to make large clumps. After the pot is dismantled at the end of the summer, the lilyturf can either be re-used in a winter display or planted in a sunny or partially shaded spot in the garden.
TIP
Arum lilies, Zantedeschia, thrive in moist conditions, so be prepared to water this container frequently to keep it looking healthy.
Out of the jungle Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × canna
1 × pineapple lily
1 × sedum
large square pot
Surprisingly tough for such a lush-looking plant, a canna can survive outdoors all year round as long as it is given some protection during winter. Canna ‘Tropicanna’ has wonderful stripy leaves, but there is a good selection of varieties to choose from. All have brightly coloured flowers to match their striking foliage.
A dramatic flower for late summer, pineapple lily (Eucomis bicolor) is easy to grow from bulbs planted in spring. It comes from South Africa, so it isn’t hardy enough to survive outdoors all year round in the UK. Bring plants indoors before the first frosts in autumn and keep inside over winter.
Usually grown for its broccoli-like late-summer flowers, sedum also offers attractive fleshy foliage that looks good from when the plant emerges in spring until it dies down in autumn.
TIP
Dismantle this pot at the end of the season to protect the tender plants which need to come indoors over winter.
Sea shanty Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × larkspur
3 × feather grass
3 × coreopsis
window box
This annual relative of the delphinium, the larkspur (Consolida) is easily raised from seed in spring. Shelter it from the wind, which would otherwise blow over its towering blooms. At the end of the summer, the plants can be put on the compost heap, though don’t forget to save some seed for next year.
Ornamental grasses have become incredibly fashionable in the last few years and none more so than feather grass (Stipa tenuissima), loved for its wispy texture.
Another great plant that’s simple to raise from seed is Coreopsis ‘Mahogany Midget’ – a stunning variety that’s covered in dark red flowers in summer. Plants reach no more than 30cm (1ft) tall, making them ideal for containers. Like the other plants in this combination, it does best in a sunny spot.
TIP
To reflect the seaside-themed planting, decorate a window box with some paint and by gluing on shells or old rope with bathroom sealant.
Happy days Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × salvia
1 × marguerite
1 × fairy fan-flower
large pot
You’ll find plenty of blue varieties of salvia on offer at the garden centre. All types of this tender perennial thrive in a warm, sunny spot and will keep blooming until the autumn frosts arrive. New plants are easy to raise by either sowing seeds or taking cuttings.
Look out for a yellow-flowered variety of marguerite, such as Argyranthemum ‘Jamaica Primrose’ or ‘Cornish Gold’. This tender perennial will be covered in its cheerful daisies from late spring until autumn, as long as you keep removing the old blooms as they fade.
Soften the edge of the container by allowing fairy fan-flower to tumble over the front. Scaevola is a tender perennial from Australia that will bloom all summer long. It is easy to keep going through the winter by taking cuttings, which can be grown indoors while the weather is cold.
TIP
Plant the salvia and marguerite in the centre of the pot to grow together, and pinch out the young tips of the marguerite to encourage it to be bushy.
Purple passion Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × blue potato bush
1 × angels’ trumpets
1 × purple heart
2 × helichrysum
2 × parrot’s beak
large, rectangular pot
If you look closely at the purple flowers of the blue potato bush, Solanum rantonnettii, you can spot their resemblance to those of its close cousin, the potato. We used the variety ‘Royal Robe’ as a centrepiece, which has fragrant blooms.
One sniff of its beautiful perfume and you’ll know why this tender shrub is called angels’ trumpets. Be careful when handling brugmansia, though, as all parts of the plant are toxic. Take your pick from the wide range of colours available.
While purple heart is normally grown as a houseplant, Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ is perfectly happy outdoors through the summer. Ideal for a container, for the best colour leaves it needs bright light and slightly cramped roots.
Silvery felt-like leaves that are irresistible to the touch make Helichrysum petiolare one of the most popular tumbling foliage plants for containers. Look out for the golden and variegated forms as well. It’s easy to make more plants by taking cuttings.
Its trailing stems of silver-grey foliage and bright orange flowers make parrot’s beak, or Lotus berthelotii, a great choice for planting at the front of a container to soften its outline. Take cuttings in summer to grow indoors over winter.
TIP
Many of these plants have traditionally been houseplants in Britain, so don’t forget to tuck them up indoors before the autumn frosts.
Drama queen Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × parrot’s beak
3 × trailing begonia
1 × melianthus
1 × banana
very large, deep pot
Don’t scrimp on the parrot’s beak (Lotus berthelotii) in this arrangement – it’s an exotic-looking, trailing plant with silvery foliage and bright orange flowers that resemble lobster claws. It’s easy to grow, but needs protection during the cold winter months. Take cuttings in summer to make new plants.
We’ve used equal numbers of red-flowered begonias as parrot’s beak, to echo the red tones of the banana leaves. However, you’ll find plenty of other colours on offer at the garden centre in spring. Plant the tubers in pots, hollow side uppermost. Then grow on in a greenhouse until you’re ready to plant up the container.
Melianthus is one of the most striking of all foliage plants, thanks to its blue-green leaves with serrated edges. A quick sniff of the leaves will reveal a curious nutty smell, not unlike peanut butter. Protect plants in winter as they are on the tender side.
Increasingly popular in recent years, bananas are now widely available in garden centres, and many offer a surprising range. We’ve chosen one with red-infused leaves, but you’ll also find beautiful green varieties of both Musa and Ensete to choose from. Protect from winter cold.
TIP
All these plants are on the tender side, so protect them over winter and move the container outside when all risk of frost is past.
Golden fire Time to plant: spring
You will need:
For the main pot:
1 × berberis
2 × sanvitalia
1 × bidens
1 × sedge
large, wide pot
For right-hand pot:
1 × sedge
medium pot
For left-hand pot:
1 × Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’
medium pot
The rigidly upright stems of Berberis thunbergii contrast strikingly with the softer shapes of the plants below. We’ve used ‘Pow-wow’, but there are lots of alternatives, including ones with purple, golden or variegated leaves. All turn spectacular colours in autumn.
Sanvitalia’s perfect daisy-like flowers wander happily through the surrounding plants. Like the other plants in this container, it loves a bright spot, but is also surprisingly tough and will keep blooming until the first frosts.
Easy to raise from seed, bidens has bright yellow, star-shaped flowers that cover its trailing stems all summer long. Save the seeds to sow the following spring. If plants get too big for their position, simply cut them back to size.
One of the most striking of all the sedges, Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ has a broad cream stripe down the centre of each leaf. The dense clumps will gradually expand over the years and can be split to make new plants.
Flanked by single plantings of sedge (right) and evergreen euonymus, this trio of pots makes a striking feature all year round.
TIP
As evergreens, the sedge, euonymus and berberis will look good all year so can be left in their pots permanently. The summer-flowering plants can be replaced by yellow pansies for the winter and ‘Tête-à-tête’ daffodils for spring.
Simple and sweet Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × Fuchsia ‘Thalia’
1 × fairy fan-flower
tall, narrow pot
Fuchsia ‘Thalia’ is a more refined-looking fuchsia for those who’ve grown tired of the blowsy skirts of the ordinary kind. Its narrow, pencil-like, orange flowers contrast beautifully with its bronze-coloured foliage and are produced in abundance. Bring indoors before the first frosts hit in autumn.
An Australian native that’s brilliant for pots, the fairy fan-flower (Scaevola) is covered in its fan-shaped flowers from spring until autumn. As a tender perennial, it’s not hardy enough to stay outdoors all year round, so take cuttings in summer to grow indoors over winter. It’s a vigorous plant, so cut it back if it gets unruly.
TIP
Use a tall pot for this display, so the fuchsia really seems to rise above the fan-flower and creates a stunning vertical accent for your patio display.
Ruby red Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × trailing pelargonium
1 × purple basil
tall, narrow pot
One of the easiest trailing plants for a sunny spot, pelargoniums come in a wide range of colours including red, white, pink and burgundy. Given protection during the cold winter months, plants will last for several years. Alternatively, they can be replaced each year by new plants raised from summer cuttings.
As tasty as its more commonly seen green cousin, purple basil makes a beautiful alternative that’s equally at home in container displays as it is in the kitchen. Harvest the leaves as you need them.
TIP
To keep both these plants looking their best, position the pot in a sunny spot away from cold winds.
Burning up Time to plant: spring
You will need:
3 × gazania
2 × sanvitalia
2 × lantana
large pot
The bright orange daisies of gazania lap up the sunshine. Either raise the plants from seed in spring or buy them from the garden centre.
Few plants are as easy to grow as sanvitalia, which will keep on producing its small, daisy-like flowers come rain or shine. Plants can be chopped back if they begin to get unruly, otherwise they need little maintenance as few pests and diseases seem to attack them.
Rings of flowers that darken in colour as they age cover the lantana, producing a multi-tonal effect. This handsome tender plant can be brought indoors for winter, otherwise take cuttings in summer. Wear gloves when handling it if you have sensitive skin as it can irritate.
TIP
This is a really hot pot that loves the sun. Position it in a sunny spot for some sensational colour.
Steely grey Time to plant: spring
You will need:
2 × begonia
2 × plectranthus
tall, wide planter
While many begonias are grown for their flowers, there is also a group that have beautiful, richly-coloured leaves, such as Begonia rex. They can be brought indoors at the end of the summer to make attractive houseplants.
An interesting group of foliage plants that works well in summer containers is plectranthus. We’ve chosen the purple-leaved variety, ‘Mona Lavender’. You also find variegated and silver-leaved types at the garden centre. Take cuttings in summer, as this plant is too tender to survive outdoors all year long.
TIP
This foliage-based planting scheme makes a sophisticated summer display. For best results, position the container in dappled shade.
Gothic fantasy Time to plant: spring
You will need:
5 × viola
2 × cineraria
1 × Regal pelargonium
metal or faux lead window box
Almost jet-black in colour, violas such as ‘Molly Sanderson’ will bloom for months on end as long as the old flowers are removed as they fade. If you need them, it’s easy to make extra plants by taking cuttings.
With striking filgree leaves in a silver colour, Senecio cineraria helps lighten this dark-coloured planting scheme. Senecio are easy to raise from seed in spring, otherwise buy ready-grown plants from the garden centre. Surprisingly hardy, they can be planted out in the garden afterwards.
Worth tracking down at the garden centre for their dark, silky flowers, the burgundy varieties of Regal pelargonium; include the popular ‘Lord Bute’. Like other types of pelargonium, they prefer a sunny spot and are easy to raise from cuttings.
TIP
If the violas begin to look straggly, give them a quick haircut and they will soon bush up and begin to flower again.
Flowery meadows Time to plant: spring
You will need:
1 × cornflower
4 × catchfly
wide, but shallow, container
While the blue-flowered form of cornflower (Centaurea) is the one most commonly seen, this burgundy variety, ‘Black Ball’, is worth looking out for and makes a spectacular focal point in this container. Once a common weed on farms, cornflowers are sadly rarely seen nowadays. The blooms appear from late spring until midsummer.
Sometimes sold under the name of viscaria, catchfly (Silene) is an easy-to-grow annual that works well in both containers and borders. Its pretty flowers come in pink, white, blue and red. Their petals have a special quality that makes them appear to glisten in the sunshine.
TIP
If you are keen on attracting wildlife into your garden, then this is an excellent container, as cornflower is beloved by both bees and butterflies.
