Masterclass
Spring fever is here! When the soil’s too damp for digging, messing about with pots is the perfect way to enjoy a September day outdoors.
Container gardening
Gardening in containers means even the smallest, most soil-starved space can be turned into a garden sanctuary. Transportable and versatile, pots and planters are a godsend for those who rent or move house a lot. In a larger garden, they offer a quick and easy way to add colour and accent with a new look for every season
More than just a practical way to grow plants, containers are objects of beauty in their own right. Large decorative pots, with or without plants, make wonderful focal points in a garden.
Because we can raise pots closer to eye level on a wall, pedestal or table we can get maximum enjoyment from colourful flowers and fragrance. When space is limited we can make the most of vertical space with wall planters and hanging baskets.
Spring is a good time to take stock of your container plants, and consider which could benefit from a change of contents. Tired container plants can
take on a new lease of life in a new pot or a place in the garden soil.
It might also be time to rationalise your assortment of plants in pots. Variety provides interest but too many different pots and plants in a space can look chaotic. A ‘collector’s corner’ can be pulled together visually by just having one type of pot – such as simple terracotta in one shape but a range of sizes. Similarly, consider planting a hotchpotch of different pots with all the same plant.
Clustering pots together in an artful display makes for easier watering. In an informal grouping of different pots, a large pot with a permanent tree or shrub acts as a visual ‘anchor’ while smaller pots are treated to a change of flower to keep things looking fresh and vibrant each new season.
Symmetry - two matching pots straddling an entranceway or marking a change of level, for example, suits a formal style of garden. Although it can be challenging to keep two matching plants looking like twins!
Use pebbles, shells or colourful glass marbles to finish off the tops of pots. This decorative layer will hide the potting mix, making freshly planted pots look more established. It will also help keep moisture in and weeds out.
What makes a great container plant?
Firstly, it makes good sense to choose plants that grow well in pots. Almost any plant can be grown in a pot if given the right care, but some grow better than others! Drought tolerant plants make sense. Also, look for plants that offer a touch of theatre – a lasting display of colour or a shapely silhouette, ideally both. Look for plants that have naturally compact growth habits. And don’t forget that colour comes not only from flowers, but also from foliage, berries, fruit or simply the beautiful glaze of a pot.
Repeating the same plant throughout an area introduces harmony and rhythm,
even if the containers are different.