CHOOSING YOUR CONTAINERS

Different pots suit different plants, locations and budgets – here are my tips on the main options

 Terracotta pots – take care to choose ‘frost proof’ rather than ‘frost resistant’. When growing large plants permanently in terracotta pots, prune their roots and repot every three years to prevent cracking.

 Composite materials – some of these are made from recycled plastic and look very contemporary. Reconstituted stone is another option and provides the weight required for small trees and shrubs.

 Lead tubs and planters – these are worth investing in if you only want to buy them once. They really will last forever and offer weight for top-heavy shrubs. Re-pot shrubs growing in them every three years.

 Wooden planters – these can be cheap to buy or you can knock one up yourself from treated timber, but do line the inside with polythene to prevent rotting. Classy oak tubs are best fitted with a steel liner, which will greatly lengthen their life.

 Tubs on castors – useful for large tender plants, as it’s easy to move them under cover over winter. They also allow you to change around your container displays at will.

 Hanging baskets – these can really bring a bare wall to life. They’re not just for flowers either: herbs, salads, strawberries and trailing tomatoes can all be yours for the picking and are safely out of reach of slugs.

Lead planters are very expensive, but faux lead can look just as stylish for a fraction of the price

Wooden troughs or crates are ideal for herbs and salads, adding a pop of colour if painted