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.
Place a layer of crocks in the bottom of the pot to improve drainage.
Fill the pot two-thirds full with multi-purpose compost and mix in some water-retaining gel.
Break up the strips of bellis to form individual plants. Don’t worry about tearing the roots – the plants will be fine.
Position the bellis plants where you want them, then plant them in the container.
Split the ivy into smaller plants. Poke them into the gaps between the bellis and fill in the gaps with compost.
Water the display throughly and keep it well watered to prevent the soil from drying out.
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.
Primulas are one of our most popular spring bedding plants. Here we’ve combined them with anemones, hebe and salvia for a dramatic spring display. Once this display is over, plant everything out into a damp spot in the garden. More spring garden projects: How to revive cannas in spring (video) Sowing cut flowers in spring (video) How to plant daffodils and wallflowers for spring colour (video) Plant up this primula and anemone pot display with our easy steps.