Container Gardening

A little imagination can turn the plainest of containers into an eyecarching display of spring flowering bulbs or burst of summer glory for a bare corner, patio or roof garden Brighten up a dull windowsill with a combination of flowering and foliage plants in a window box. Growing plants in containers is very rewarding and more or less maintenance free!

Containers can be grouped together on patios, balconies and around special features or on stair wells. They can be themed with spring or summer plantings, for autumn colour or with tropical foliage. If the containers are not fixed to the wall they can be moved around to creat new groupings of foliage or colour combinations.

Suitable containers come in all sorts, materials and sizes but must have drainage hole to freely drain excess moisture and a sufficient depth of soil for the plant roots. Frost-proof terracotta pots are perfect for long-term outdoor planting but their porous quality means the compost will quickly dry out and need regular watering. Plastic pots are a cheaper alternative but will need protective wrapping during winter to prevent plant roots from freezing.

Choose pots that are large enough for your plant, have drainage holes and will suit the style of your garden.

Many pots have a single, large drainage hole at their base. To prevent this from becoming blocked with compost, cover with a layer of broken bits of pot - broken bits of polystyrene packaging will work just as well. When displaying pots on a paved area, such as a patio, raise off the ground by resting on terracotta feet or even bricks. This will help water drain freely and prevent a build up of moisture at root level.

How to plant your container

Place a layer of broken pots (known as crocks) at the base of the container. Fill pot with your chosen compost to the level of the base of your largest plant - aim to leave a 2cm (0.7in) gap between the top of the compost and the rim of the pot. With plants still in their pots arrange in the container. Put taller plants in the centre and trailing or smaller plants around the edges.

If you are planning to have a structural perennial surrounded by a changing display of annuals throughout the year it is worth leaving the temporary plants in their pots, making them easy to change without disturbing the larger plant as they come to the end of their period of interest. Otherwise, once you are happy with the arrangement, remove all pots and plant. Fill in the gaps with compost and firm with your fingers. Finish by watering well.

Choose containers large enough to support your selected planting arrangement. Put a thin layer of broken crocs of fibrous material over the holes in the bottom of the container to act as a filter and then fill the container with a suitable peat free multi purpose compost* to the level of the bottom of your largest selected plant - arrange plants accoring to your theme - it is usual to put taller plants in the centre and trailing or smaller plants around the edges. Fill in gaps with compost, firm down with your fingers to eliminate air pockets and water well.

Window boxes and hanging baskets which are exposed to the sun for long periods will dry out quickly and will need to be watered on a daily basis with an 'feed' added as they start to flower. Compost for these containers can be improved by adding a few water-retaining crystals which swell up when is watered providing water as the plant needs it.

Geraniums (pelargoniams) are one of the firm favourites for containers/window boxes - they come in both up-right and trailling varieties providing a good display right through from june to october. Most annual plants are suitable for container gardening, Petunias and nasturtiums, lobelia and dianthus make attractive displays. Tomatoes, Peppers, Chillies and herbs along with baby leaf salad varieties make for productive window boxes and containers planted up with new potatoes are becoming increasingly popular. These plants can be packed together for maximum impact providing you feed and water regularly.

* Rhododendrons, camellias and Japanese maples which are acid-loving plants will require a special ericaceous compost.