Hostas reign supreme when it comes to striking foliage, but they also bear pretty purple flowers in summer, which are attractive in their own right. This eye-catching container display combines Hosta ‘Wide Brim’ with a selection of other shade-loving, foliage plants, resulting in the perfect, perennial display for a shady corner.
Add crocks to the base of the container to aid drainage, and fill the pot two-thirds with compost.
Add slow-release fertiliser granules to the compost and mix it in with your hands.
Gently tease the plants out of their pots and plant them in the container. Make sure the lush leaves of the hosta are displayed towards the front of the pot.
Water the plants well, then leave the container to drain fully before moving it to its final location.
We planted up this large container with a bright and breezy mix of perennials that will look good for months on end, and provide valuable pollen and nectar for pollinating insects. For this pot display, we picked an attractively ribbed metal container that provides plenty of space for root growth. More container gardening advice: 20 summer container ideas Choosing pots and containers (video) Potting up plug plants (video) Find out more about how we pl
Planted up with a diverse mix of houseleeks (sempervivums), this container display is wonderfully low-maintenance, with very little required in the way of watering, feeding and deadheading. It’s perfect for a front garden or patio display, and will come into its own in dry summers. More container gardening advice: 10 colourful winter pots Caring for sempervivums – golden rules (video) How to propagate houseleeks (video) Find out more about how we plan
The tree lily is a giant of the lily world, producing thick, sturdy stems that can reach up to 2.4m in height in its third year, compared to other varieties at 90cm to 1.5m. Tree lilies are generous too, producing impressive displays with each plant carrying up to 30 trumpet-shaped blooms. Flowering time depends on planting time and growing conditions, with flowers opening as early as June or later into July and August. Follow these easy steps to create your own dramatic display with tree lili
This pink, perky display produces a contemporary feel, with the contrasting dark leaves bringing some drama to the arrangement. To keep the container looking good, water it regularly and remove the blooms as they fade for a display that will perform until the first frosts of autumn. Place it in full sun or partial shade. Follow our simple steps to plant up this begonia and marguerite container display.