CAROL KLEIN
we’ve used dark-leaved dahlias in our containers. This year, we’ve got several pots full of tubers and we’ll plant them straight into containers where they’ll form part of our summer spectacular.
But even if you’re starting from scratch, sow ‘Bishop’s Children’ now and they’ll be big enough to plant by June. And if you give them good compost and a balanced feed (I like liquid seaweed), they should flower with single blooms in brilliant oranges, reds and magenta. Alternatively, basal cuttings from dahlias just starting into growth will take root in a couple of weeks – you can pot them up individually and put them out into pots as soon as they’re established. Leave plenty of room – they grow rapidly. Nip out their shoots and you’ll encourage them to bush out and end up with more compact plants with lots of flowers.
For big, showy pots it’s always a good idea to start with something resplendent as a centrepiece. This can be growing away in the container as your smaller plants are being brought on.
Nasturtiums make a brilliant addition to pots. Try ‘Empress of India’, with dark leaves and vermilion flowers. It has a neat habit, though if it’s exuberance you want there are plenty of nasturtiums only too willing to oblige.
You can make a fine display of veg or herbs in a pot. Again, the best way is to grow on the individual components in module trays until they’re big enough to put out. Ruby chard is a handsome addition to a dark and dramatic display and some tomatoes are bred to cascade over edges. Runner beans or a climbing courgette could be used in the centre.
Many herbs come easily from seed. Dill is a favourite here and parsley is incredibly decorative. Or mix them up with plants such as cerinthe, marigolds, love-in-the-mist or cornflowers.
Be adventurous. You can create a superb display for the price of your seeds.