Metallic sparks

1 x Hakonechloa macra

‘Aureola’

2 x Ophiopogon planiscapus

‘Nigrescens’ (black mondo)

1 x Houttuynia cordata

‘Chameleon’

2 x Carex morrowii

‘Everglow’

2 x Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’

1 x antique copper bowl (similar may be available from online sites such as Ebay)

A shallow copper bucket found in a salvage yard makes a handsome home for these perennials, grown mainly for their colourful, shapely leaves. Swaying in the lightest breeze, golden hakonechloa tumbles gracefully, contrasting with multi-coloured houttuynia and the starchy succulent.

This display would be happy in a lightly shaded spot outdoors all year, but remove the tender echeveria over winter. Split and replant each plant clump every spring.