Basil, fennel and shiso container

Snowdrops (Galanthus sp.) are some of the first bulbs to emerge in the year, and their pretty, nodding flowers signal the beginning of spring. A snowdrop container is easy to create and will make an attractive display – just make sure you plant the snowdrops in the ground, after flowering has finished. Before you start your snowdrop pot, collect some moss from around the garden to create give your container a lush, natural-looking topping. You won’t need much, as a little goes a long way. Before

This pretty pot combines daffodils, bellis daisies and polyanthus – all readily available at the garden centre in spring. Daffodils such as ‘Jetfire’ trumpet the arrival of spring just as well in pots and containers as they do in borders and grassy banks. A palette of golds, cherry-reds and pinks creates a heart-warming display. Simply deadhead to keep the display tidy. Apart from the bellis daisies, all the plants will come back every year and can be planted in the garden once flowering has f

Leafy veg and salad leaves prefer cool, shady spots and grow well in pots or in a trough, so they’re ideal for shady balconies and small gardens. You can sow the seeds directly into your pot, and vary the leaves to suit your own tastes. Discover more vegetable crops to grow in shade. Keep picking and watering the plants, and you should be able to pick them again several times. From late summer, sow winter salads such as oriental greens and grow beetroot for leaves. Discover how to plant a quic

In this handsome container we combine the leafy foliage of carex and English ivy, with bright red cyclamen flowers and the cream-green flowerbuds of the skimmia. Its perfect for adding a splash of colour in autumn, and will last right through to spring. You Will Need