Container planting for autumn & winter colour. Blog 19

Container planting for autumn & winter colour. Blog 19

Posted on 15 Oct, 2008 17 comments

As the autumn and winter approaches we regularly alter some of the planting schemes in our pots, urns and containers.
Each container is treated as a miniature garden in its own right.

This gives us tremendous flexibility ‘to mix and match’ the colour and plant combinations to provide different moods and settings in the garden, and we can take advantage of the plants that are available each season, as we like to experiment with colour themes, leaf textures and planting combinations.



Many of our containers are very large and ornate in their own right, so we ensure that the plants do not obscure the decorative features. For other pots and containers we choose plants that not only give height, but we also use plants that have a trailing habit that hides the container.

It can be very frustrating waiting for plants to grow sufficiently in order to hide and fill a container that you have just planted. So, don’t be afraid to really pack a good number of plants into your container to fill it out and ensure that you have an eye catching display.

You will need plants for height, plants that trail or cascade and plants that provide a vista or focal point to draw your eye to the display, but so much depends on the type of display you are trying to achieve. You might also wish to ‘colour theme’ your display or use unusual plants to provide additional interest.
Colour themes in complimentary or contrasting colours can look very effective.



This photograph was taken on October 15th 2008, and it shows the large classical cast iron Urn on its high plinth.
In the urn we have planted Violas in blue and purple along with the black grass Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘nigrescens’. The Cordyline provides height with a contrast in green & yellow on the leaves.The black grass provides a good colour contrast as well as adding a spikey texture.

We decided not to use trailing plants to soften the edges of the container as we wanted to accentuate the classical details of the urn as it has a very strong shape.
In the summer we use trailing plants along with other bedding plants and herbs to provide a long lasting display.
The summer display is often much softer and ‘frothy.’



A close up photograph of our latest display for autumn and winter 2008/9.
This display will last throughout the winter and into next spring.

PREPARATIONS FOR SPRING COLOUR:
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In the same container, and to prepare for next spring, we have planted 30 tulips underneath the existing plants, and used the colour theme of deep purple and Ivory/pink.

We used Tulip ‘Queen of the night’ & Tulip ‘Lady Jane’

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This is the same urn with our summer display 2008.
We used purple sage to underplant the summer bedding plants.

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In another container we have used Purple winter flowering Pansies and Violas ‘White blotch’ along with Sweet Basil Ocimum Basilicum (Green foliage) and Purple Basil Ocimum basilicum var.purpurascens.

The herbs will also be used in the kitchen as a cullinary aid. The Basils are not frost hardy, but the container is situated near the house to give the plants some protection from frosts.We often use herbs in our displays to add colour, leaf texture and contrast. They also provide a lovely scent in the garden.





PREPARATIONS FOR SPRING COLOUR:
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We also planted 25 tulips at various levels in the same container to give a spring display in deep purple and white.

We used: ‘Queen of the night’ (Deep purple) and ‘White dream’(Pure white)

URNS, POTS & CONTAINERS AND
WHERE TO POSITION THEM.
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A lovely big urn in terracotta or metal can provide a stunning and eye – catching display in any garden setting. They can be raised on a plinth or placed on a patio or situated in the centre of a wide pathway so you are diverted and have to walk around them. They are incredibly flexible, and you can alter the plant and colour combinations throughout the seasons.



Table top containers and planters can also add colour and interest to the garden table during the winter months.

Containers attached to a wall, gate or fence can also help to create focal points or vistas. They are another form of gardening, and you can have fun altering and changing them each year.



Grenville & Alan.
Bristol.U.K
October 15th 2008.

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Tags: containers