Some twenty years ago,the terraced house we lived in had a rather small garden. Smaller borders meant we didn’t have the room for all the plants we really wanted to put in them. We compromised with container planting, which gives you the option to move those special plants around the garden, to either cover an area where one plant may have gone over, or to just brighten up spots here and there as the mood takes you. Also in your patio area where there may be no borders, container planting works miracles. Even now in spite of having quite a large garden, we would not be without our plants, in their terracota, or clay pots, even some of those plastic containers which once upon a time we would have turned our noses up at are now doing quite a good job at looking reasonably authentic. And remember you don’t have to only use annuals. Hostas do pariculary well in tubs, as does the many ornamental grasses available in your garden centre, one of those grasses a particular favourite is Hakonechloa, a variety which arches and flops like a wig. Remember spring bulbs do extremely well in pots. Agapanthus is another must, once they have died back in the autumn I prefer to over winter agapanthus in the greenhouse,just leave your plant in the pot, and come late spring place it in a sunny spot in the garden. For most of your container plants use a mix of a good quality general garden compost mixed with John Innes No.3 and also a good helping of horticultural grit. I am particulary fond of B&Q own general compost. For Camelias and Rhododendrons use ericacious compost only.
Hakonechloa Macra Aureola
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