Spectacular pots on a budget

Start now for gorgeous summer pots that are high on impact, but low on cost

A large container, bursting with vibrant summer flowers, is a surefire way of adding spectacle to any garden. Start now and you can look forward to a display that will be in full bloom by early summer and will continue for months; for a fraction of the price of creating the same container in a couple of months time.

Growing your own plants using tubers, seeds and plug plants is not only satisfying but offers huge savings compared with buying fully grown plants later in the year. Plus, you’re likely to end up with more plants than you need, giving you bonus flowers for other parts of the garden. These showy blooms are easy to grow and can be brought to life on a windowsill indoors, if you lack a heated greenhouse or propagator. The seeds, tubers and plugs you’ll need to create these displays can all be ordered online or via mail order.

Each of our show-stopping containers has been tailored to be at its peak at a particular time of day, so whether you have coffee in the garden in the morning, or unwind with an alfresco glass of wine in the evening, we’ve the perfect planted accompaniment.