Summer Containers

Now is the time to buy plants from garden centres to create instant colour in containers, but which ones are best? Tamsin Hope Thomson has some suggestions

- Tamsin Hope

AT this time of year, it’s easy to add instant colour to a patio or garden. Even one container display can make a dramatic focal point. In fact, one large pot can make more of an impact than lots of small pots scattered around the place. For around half an hour’s planting time, you’ll be rewarded with months of colour. Garden centres and nurseries will have a good choice of bright inexpensive bedding plants, flowering perennials and attractive foliage plants and grasses this month.

What kinds of plants do you need? Look for plants that flower for several months to avoid having to change the display every few weeks. Bedding plants such as nemesia, pansies and lobelia are an inexpensive way to pack colour into pots and provide masses of flowers all summer. Flowering perennials may cost a little more, but when they outgrow the pot they can be planted out in the garden. And don’t forget to look at foliage plants – these can also add colour, a trailing habit to soften the edge of a pot or simply a calming contrast in shape and form to all the flowers. Ornamental grasses are a great way to add height or you could add some low-maintenance ivy to trail over the sides of your pot or window box.

Similar needs

Use plants that have similar needs in the same pot. Check whether they will all be happy in full sun or whether they need some shade, and look at whether they need plenty of water or can take a bit of drought.