POT COMBOS

Try my favourite Experiment with displays in containers as it isn't such a commitment as planting up a border

Perhaps it’s downright greedy, as we’ve got a bigger than average garden here, to plant up pots and containers galore. My excuse is that doing so offers opportunities to try out new plant combinations and exercise my imagination. Experimenting with displays that will probably only last one season isn't such a commitment as planting up a border with shrubs, perennials, grasses and bulbs meant to remain in situ for many years. Every year we get a chance to try something different too, whereas much of our planting in the garden proper is essentially the same year on year.

This year we’ve grown several tender perennials, most of which we’ll treat as annuals, specifically for our pots. There’s Ricinus communis ‘Impala’ with immense palmate, bronze leaves; tithonia, hopefully with both orange and yellow flowers, and brand new seedling dahlias which, unlike the others, will be saved in the autumn. Having taken out the tulips and Fritillaria imperialis, which were the tenants here in spring, containers are planted up now and though there may be room to squeeze in an odd nasturtium or two, they'll carry on through the summer without interruption with frequent watering and an occasional feed.

There are a few exceptions, though, where there’s still time for a bit of a change around. Although the wafty plumes of Stipa tenuissima complement more solid foliage, they can sometimes, especially in dry weather, become a bit dry and stiff and lose their waftiness. Replacing them with a vigorous geranium such as ‘Rozanne’, coreopsis or bidens, which may help keep the containers looking fresh. Alongside the solid monochrome structure of eucomis or yuccas, their tumbling growth and brilliant flowers are the perfect complement.

In some situations though, this grass looks good late into summer in partnership with Scabiosa ochroleuca or any later-flowering meadowy constituent. In a tall pot that emphasises their habit of growth, they look better still.

Containers and their contents should go together. Terracotta goes with everything but we may need to be a bit more circumspect when it comes to pots glazed in vivid colours. But pots and containers always are an expression of the person who planted them.

One of the ideas we’ve used this time was to combine a few tropical elements together

– the large dahlia chosen as a centrepiece will have to be changed though. From the bedroom window, I can see this enormous copper pot through the gap in the box hedge where steps go down to the lower part of the garden and it has big red flowers.

The intended dahlia has deep magenta flowers which will harmonise with the purples that predominate in that part of the garden and go well with the purple ipomoea climbing up the obelisks in two other containers there.

Though we’re anticipating the climax of this pot in August and September, it’s difficult not to start contemplating which tulips we might grow in there next year or what might follow them.

If you’re using unglazed terracotta pots it’s a good idea to line them with reused plastic – old compost bags are ideal. They’ll need plenty of holes for drainage.

Even though they may only be in situ for a few months, compost selection is all important. We always try to include plenty of loam in our mix. If you’re using multi-purpose compost it will work brilliantly but most brands tell you that it will keep plants well-fed for up to two months; for best results feed regularly. One of the attractions of pots is that you don’t even need a garden to plant them up and enjoy a summer full of colour!