Planting ideas for containers in sun or part shade

To keep a fairly large container looking great all year, it is a good idea to plant into a light-weight pot that fits just inside the main container. You can then create arrangements that can be set aside for a new design when they go over. By making 3 or 4 of these ‘inserts’ you can swap the arrangements around as they come into their best growth. Leaving the plants that have finished flowering to grow on and be planted out into the garden or re-used next year.

With this in mind we have created some designs you can use in different conditions throughout the year. Increase or decrease your selections to suit the size of your pot.

Tips

Always plant into a space that is as large or a little larger than the size of the root ball, compressing the roots or over crowding them will damage the plant and can inhibit its ability to flower.

Make sure you use fresh compost. Any previously used compost will be nutritionally spent and can contain detrimental organisms.

Place each plant at the same depth that is in its pot and water in well. Ensure there is adequate drainage and water regularly. Feed with a liquid feed, at the dilution advised on the bottle, at one monthly intervals until the end of the growing season. Never over feed as this could seriously damage or kill your plants.

Pots that are in a very sunny and/or windy site will dry out faster and will need more regular irrigation.

Depending on their rate of growth, many plants can be lifted and split during their dormant period.

This will enable you to replant the splits into new compost in the pot, which will set them up well for the coming year. The extra plants can be used in your garden or other containers.  

Spring

Geum ‘Pink Frills’ - 1 Litre. Alternative Lathyrus vernus ‘Subtle Hints’ 1 Litre

Iberis sempervirens – 1 Litre. Alternative Veronica gentianoides ‘Tissington White’ 1 Litre

Lamium maculatum ‘Pink Pearls – 1 Litre. Alternative Diascia ‘Hopleys’ 1 Litre

Phlox divaricata ‘Clouds of Perfume’ – 1 Litre at the front. Alternative Veronica ‘Bergens Blue’ 1 Litre

Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony' – 1 Litre. Alternative Geum ‘Bell Bank’ 1 Litre

Summer

Anemone ‘Frilly Knickers’ – 1 Litre. Alternative Astrantia ‘Buckland’

Cota tinctora ‘Sauce Hollandaise’ – 1 Litre. Alternative Heliosperma alpestra

Alchemilla saxatillis – 1 Litre. Alternative Artemesia schmiidtiana ‘Nana’

Nepeta grandiflora ‘Summer Magic’ 1 Litre. Alternative Allium ‘Lavender Bubbles’ 3 Litre

Geranium ‘Elke’ - 1 Litre. Alternative Geranium x riversleaianum ‘Russell Pritchard’

As the season moves on and more plants become available we will post new perennial combinations for use throughout the year.