How to achieve the look
A friend of mine, who was clearing out his shed, gave me these sections of old drainage pipe. They’re the perfect disguise for ordinary black-plastic, three-litre pots, lodging snugly into the top and remaining steadfast even when the compost is wet and heavy. Most of the plants in this arrangement have been grown from seed, apart from the procumbent Campanula poscharskyana and the Thalictrum tuberosum, which I bought. Overall the feel of the composition is somewhat wild and includes a few new plants that I wanted to get to know better before I use them in the garden. I’ve top-dressed the soil surface with sphagnum moss. Cultivation and care The showiest plant in this arrangement is Campanula punctata f. rubriflora, with its long pendant, rose-purple bellflowers held on loose spikes. At the back are the slender spines of Lobelia fenestralis, a plant that is new to me. It favours warmer climes but has such a lovely fine habit I thought it worth a try. Another first, is the beautifully named, pheasant’s eye ( Adonis aestivalis), which I’ve wanted to grow for some time. Its flowers are a glossy blood red and foliage is a fresh green, it has a branching habit and I love it. The flowers close at night and in dull weather, but this doesn’t bother me. Next year I might combine it in the garden with the blueHackelia floribunda at the back right of this vignette. This is a very easy annual, although the seeds are devils to get off clothing. Next to this, the chalky white umbels of Orlaya grandiflora, the bright-pink catchfly, Silene armeria, and near the front, the diminutive white meadow rue Thalictrum tuberosum (not shown above). Trailing over the edge on to the York stone, is the violet-blue bellflower Campanula poscharskyana. Container To make the whole display more appealing I cut the clay pipes into various lengths with a diamond-bladed circular saw. The pipes are arranged on a York stone slab and the plastic pots shoehorned into the top of each tube.
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Hardiness ratings given where available.
f. rubriflora Perennial with darker freckling on the inside of the flowers. Deadheading prolongs display. 40cm. Silene armeria Hardy annual. For larger plants sow in autumn to flower in June. 40cm. Adonis aestivalis Hardy annual, known as pheasant’s eye. Sow January – March. 50cm. Hackelia floribunda Hardy annual with many flowers. Sow February – March. 60cm. USDA 3a-7b†. Orlaya grandiflora Hardy annual. Sow fresh seed in late September, overwinter in cold frame, and plant out in March. 50cm. Campanula poscharskyana Spreading perennial with violet-blue flowers. 20cm. USDA 3a-9b. Lobelia fenestralis A newly introduced perennial native to southern USA and Mexico. 1m.