If you like rustic charm and relaxed, informal planting, this pot display is for you. With a traditional holly bush at the centre, and red berry lights for a little sparkle, you couldn’t wish for a more festive container recipe. You should find all these plants at your local nursery and it’s possible to plant the skimmias and stipas in the garden when they outgrow the display.
Put safety first: be sure to buy lights that are safe for outdoor use, which usually means they’ll have a transformer between the plug the first light of the string. The transformer converts the electricity to a lower voltage suitable for use outside, and must be positioned indoors. The wire on the ‘outdoor’ side of the transformer will be thin enough to pass through a window or door for a limited period, while still allowing it to close. Don’t plug into outdoor sockets if the transformer will be exposed.
Add crocks to the pot, half fill with compost and pop in a slow-release fertiliser tablet.
Position the holly in the centre of the pot, making sure it is straight, and add more compost.
If the stipas are a little large make extra, smaller plants by dividing them with a sharp knife.
Plant the stipas around the edge of the container ensuring they are evenly spaced apart.
Add the skimmias between the stipas, backfill with more compost and water thoroughly.
Twine the lights through the holly and safely connect them to your power source.
Perfect for a shady corner, this pretty container display is simple to recreate. Here, we’ve combined bronze-green heuchera with common blue violets. The trailing ivies hang from the side of the container to complete the look. You Will Need
This simple container display is perfect for a shady corner. The large, glossy leaves of the bergenia look fantastic all year round, while its pink flowers combine with those of the thrift to add a splash of colour in spring. Both plants are perennial so, once you have finished with your display, transfer them into the garden. You W
Add a cottage-garden feel to your patio with this simple pot project. The trio of narcissus, carex and aubretia provides instant colour, as plants can be bought in flower. If other spring flowers catch your eye at the garden centre, you could use those instead. Find out how to create the display, below. You Will Need
The sweet-smelling irises should be in flower by late-winter if the weather is mild. Before then, you can enjoy the foliage combination of the needle-like iris, the filigree English ivy and the crimped fern. If you plant up this container feature in autumn you can use iris bulbs; if you wait until spring, simply buy pots of iris. Yo