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A large container (if it hasn’t got drainage holes, a drill and a masonry bit will be needed also); clay feet (optional); crocks or large stones; gravel or polystyrene chips; multi-purpose or potting compost; plants; watering can. Optional: slow-release fertiliser.
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There are lots of plants to choose from but here are some general tips: start with evergreens that will form the ‘backbone’ of the planting all year round. Use one main plant, Spotted Laurel (Aucuba Japonica) with its shiny green and yellow leaves is a good one for colour, or you could opt for a dwarf conifer to give a strong vertical shape. Dwarf junipers are ideal. Then choose lower-growing evergreens that will grow to form a carpet over compost. Easy ones include: heathers, bugle or ivies. You will need three to five of these to spread around the container.
Add seasonal fillers like spring bulbs and summer bedding. Use dwarf narcissi (daffodils) or bedding violas for spring colour, then replace these with summer bedding plants in early summer.
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Water the plants thoroughly and leave the excess water to drain away while you complete step 3.
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The container needs about five holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain away. To make the holes, use a drill set on slow speed fitted with a masonry bit. Put the pot in its final position before filling, pots can be placed on small clay ‘feet’ to improve drainage and to prevent staining of the patio .
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Cover the holes by placing pieces of broken pots (crocks) concave side down inside the pot or use large flat stones. Add a 2 - 3 cm layer of gravel or polystyrene chips to further improve drainage. Add compost to about half way up the container, break the compost up with your fingers if it is lumpy.
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Tip the ‘backbone’ plant out of its pot. Position it in the centre of the container and cover the rootball with compost and firm down with your finger tips. Then space out the smaller evergreens around the container. Finally add the seasonal fillers. Dry spring bulbs can be planted in autumn or potted up bulb plants can be planted in early spring.
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The compost surface needs to be at least 2 - 3 cm below the rim of the pot, to allow room for watering. Water the compost after planting.
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You will need to keep compost moist by watering it when required. If in doubt, push your finger down into the compost, it should feel barely moist at all times. From spring until mid/late summer, you can feed the container with a liquid feed . Follow the instructions on the packet – most liquid feeds are applied every week but slow-release feeds are inserted into the compost only once, at the start of the growing season.
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After the bulbs have finished flowering, lift them and re-plant in the garden. Fill the gaps with summer bedding like impatiens – these will last until the first frosts.
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