This simple container feature uses only three shade-loving plants to dramatic effect. The feathery leaves of the fern arch gracefully over the edges of the pot, making a perfect foil to the blue-green leaves of the hosta. And the dainty white blooms of the deutzia add a subtle splash of colour. Perfect for a shady corner.
Make sure your pot has holes in it and add crocks to stop the compost falling out from the bottom.
Fill the pot two-thirds full with compost.
Add the three plants, spaced evenly around the pot. Fill around them with more compost and firm in gently.
Water the plants thoroughly and allow to drain, before moving your container to its final position.
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.