Beautiful Gardens Spring Edition 2015 | Page 15

Pots of perfection Creating sensational containers is now easier than ever if you stick to our simple three-step planting plan W hatever the size of your outside space, there’s always the opportunity to enliven a corner or create a focal point with a beautifully planted container. Success will depend on the mix of plants you choose, so to make life easy, just include the following three types. Start with an eye-catching ‘thriller’ feature plant in the centre, surround it with shorter ‘fillers’ to keep it company, and then add a few ‘spillers’ that cascade over the sides. Simple! You can’t go wrong. Create a spectacular summer display in a fibreclay pot with canna lilies, geraniums, Osteospermum and trailing petunias YOU WILL NEED Large container; Multi-purpose compost; Phostrogen All Purpose Plant Food; Plants such as: canna lilies, Osteospermum, geraniums, petunias and Bidens. R’ ILLE ‘THR ’ ERS ‘FILL ’ LERS ‘SPIL You’ll find other ‘thrillers’, such as phormiums or cordylines in store 1. THINK BIG Place a few terracotta pieces over the hole at the bottom of the pot. Top up with multipurpose compost and add your thriller plant. 2. ADD INTEREST Place the thriller in the centre or to one side of the pot, then plant your fillers, such as Osteospermum and geraniums, around it. 3. LEAVE A TRAIL Edge the pot with trailing plants, such as petunias and bidens. Firm the compost around all the plants and water well. - 15 - EXPERT’S TIP FOOD FOR THOUGHT For best results, water your pot every day or two, and apply weekly doses of Phostrogen All Purpose Plant Food until the flowers form. When flowers are in bloom, substitute this with a weekly application of Miracle Gro Pour and Feed.