There are many plants in flower in February that can be used to create an instant spring pot display. Daffodils and primulas go together beautifully, and work well with the contrasting foliage of Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ and a brightly coloured pot. If you buy the plants from a garden centre, they can be planted into the garden after they’ve finished flowering, so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Place a few crocks in the bottom of the pot for drainage. You could also use broken polystyrene or small plastic plant pots.
Fill the container two-thirds full with peat-free, multi-purpose compost. Break it up as you go to remove air pockets.
Add the ‘Tête-à-tête’ narcissi to the back of the pot first, followed by the three primulas in a line along the front edge.
Split the ophiopogon into several smaller plants by carefully breaking the root ball apart.
Poke the smaller pieces of ophiopogon between the primulas and narcissi. Fill in with more compost.
Firm down the compost and water the container thoroughly. Check the compost regularly to make sure it doesn’t dry out.
If deadheaded regularly, pretty bellis daisies will keep flowering for weeks, offering a colourful display through spring and into summer. The English ivy in this pot recipe can be planted in the garden when the display is past its best. You Will Need
The hardy winter-flowering varieties of pansy are the best bet for winter and spring containers as they’re rarely without blooms, even when other plants are shivering in the cold. The flowers look stunning set off against the golden foliage of the thyme, around the olive tree as a centrepiece. You Will Need
In this pretty container display we’ve combined the gorgeous foliage of Pelargonium ‘Frank Headley’ with Senecio cineraria ‘Silver Dust’, which contrasts beautifully with the dark-leaved sedge and ipomoea. Throughout summer, the pelargonium will flower continually, providing further colourful contrasts, while the ipomoeas will trail gently over the sides.
Add a touch of graceful charm to your patio, with this stylish display that combines the silvery foliage of plectranthus with the delicate beauty of Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’. The salvia and pelargonium add a splash of soft pink colour – they’ll flower until the first frosts, making this the perfect, low-maintenance container display to plant up and leave until late autumn.