How to do a Container
with Mixed Planting
Growing a mixture of
different plants in one large container is a great way to get colour
all year round in a relatively small space. The secret is to make
sure that you start with a large enough container – one that
is at least 45 cm in diameter. Cheap materials are plastic and fibreglass
(both a bit unattractive) or wooden half barrels (good value but
heavy). Terracotta can be a good decorative option, but more expensive.
Stone, reconstituted stone or lead look impressive but are even
more pricey.
Step 1
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.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
Water the plants thoroughly and leave the excess water to drain
away.
Step 4
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 .
Step 5
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.
Step 6
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.
Step 7
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.
Step 8
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.
Step 9
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.
Source: Greenfingers
