COLOUR ALL YEAR ROUND

What better way to start the new growing season than by creating a one- or two-pot display for year-round colour? Whether you simply have a small outside space or want to brighten up a patio or terrace, you can create a beautiful mix of perennials (which come back every year) that look just as stunning as using annuals alone. And the best part is that you don’t have to replant them every year, saving you time and money!

First, you’ll need to focus on whether to use sun- or shade-loving plants. You can’t mix these up as one will thrive while the other will struggle. There’s a useful phrase for creating container displays: ‘Thriller, Spiller and Filler’. Choose a focal plant (thriller) and complement it with a mix of upright plants at the back, some that sit in the middle (filler), and those that will trail over the sides of the container (spiller).

Consider limiting the colour scheme, opting for just one or two complementary shades. Ideally, start with a base of evergreen, then add plants that flower at different times of the year – see over the page for my season-by-season suggestions.

Finally, I often leave a little space to add a burst of seasonal colour – from bulbs or seeds to bedding plants. Some of my favourites are pansies, violas, antirrhinums and tulips, or you could sow poppies, nigella or cornflower seeds directly into the pot.