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.
Add crocks to aid drainage and fill the pot two-thirds with compost. Add the olive tree to the centre of the pot, ensuring it’s level and planted at the same depth it was in its original pot.
Position the pansy, thyme and other herbs around the olive, letting the thyme spill over the edge. Fill in any gaps with compost and firm down. Water the container thoroughly and allow to drain.
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
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.