This month there are signs of Spring with the budding daffodils and snowdrops. While there are still plenty of jobs to do outdoors, despite the weather, there are also indoor projects that can be done. While you are waiting for the first daffodils and tulips to break the surface why not add some early colour to your patio, garden and conservatory.
Containers offer great versatility, and are a fantastic way to experiment with planting and design. Don’t limit yourself to just using flowers. Shrubs like holly, Japanese maples and camellias will thrive in containers with little care and can be a great focal point in your garden.
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Tips for the best pot display
- When choosing your pot, as a rule it is better to stick to just one or two different materials to ensure a coherent final display.
- When making your selection, choose a pot that will look well with your type of property for example a terracotta container will look best with a red brick and for more modern homes galvanised containers can give a contemporary feel.
- Size does matter! Bigger pots can have more impact and won’t dry out as quickly.
- A selection of sizes can create a dramatic effect and can be changed around to give a new look.
- By combining long-term evergreens with seasonal fillers, a container can provide colour throughout the seasons.
- Buy good quality frost proof pots.
- Make sure your pot has adequate drainage. Holes should be 1/2 inch across. Line the base of the pot with newspaper to prevent soil loss.
- Lobelia
- Begonias
- Nasturtiums
- Coreopsis
- Cosmos
Lobelia
Top 5 Shrubs- Skimmia Japonica “Rubella’
- Acer palmatum var dissectum (Japanese maple)
- Hosta ‘Night before Christmas’
- Camellia
- Sedums
- Use compost that is high in nutrients.
- Put a layer of broken terracotta pot or pebbles at the bottom of the pot. This will prevent drainage holes from becoming clogged and soil from failing out.
- Mix a handful of controlled released fertiliser granules. This will feed the plants & flowers for several months.
- After the initial feed has run out give plants a boost with some liquid feed.
- Make sure your containers a place in a bright spot as plants will benefit from direct sunlight.
