A large display of containers is common in gardens but, for me, big pots come with big problems. I find them difficult to maintain and move, and because I don't really garden over winter, pots often sit looking sad in the cold months. Weeds then establish, which I find difficult to remove with weak hands. I also find that traditional container plant combinations often look good for a couple of weeks but then one of the plants usually takes over, meaning further tricky maintenance is required.
My answer is to use individual plants in individual pots, then group the pots together on tables of various heights around the garden, creating easy-to-manage displays that still have impact - often at eye-level when seated.
I then change the plants with the seasons, along with their locations in my garden. It works for me and it could definitely work for you.
Sue's pick of tabletop plants
Compact growth habits, lower maintenance needs, long seasons of interest and a dash of drought tolerance are major planting themes for Sue's tabletop displays. Here are some of her top plant choices for best results every time.
Lagurus ovatus
Plants at table height not only enable me to look at and smell them, they also allow me to reach and touch them easily. Lagurus ovatus, also known as hare's tail grass, is easy to grow from seed, is fairly drought tolerant and thrives in pots. Its soft, slightly curled leaves bring forth small, furry, tactile 'hare's tail' flowerheads. Height x Spread 45cm x 30cm
Auriculas
Primula auricula are prize plants for April, doing well in small pots that keep their roots restricted. They need free-draining compost and do not like to be overwatered or to have their roots sit in water. I used 'Purple Pip' this year with Nemesia Melody Raspberry. H x S 20cm x 15cm
Edelweiss
Bu hikaye BBC Gardeners World dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye BBC Gardeners World dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
We love June
We're cruising towards midsummer: this is a month full of love and abundance. Wherever you look there will be something in your garden that lifts the spirits and makes you glad to be alive. We have colour to cheer us, we have leaves that still have the bounce and freshness of small puppies, we have the first berries fattening up, there are birds frantically parenting very demanding broods of chicks, the bees are all over the place, it's prime barbecue and picnic season, and we have lawns as lush and green as billiard tables. What a month to fall in love.
Your wildlife month
The female will usually lay one clutch of up to eight eggs
An edible garden in pots
Join Lucy Bellamy in creating an edible container garden for all seasons, as she harvests what's ripe now and starts later-season crops
Garden craft with kids
Fill the summer holidays with fun nature makes for kids, including botanical printed t-shirts, seed sowing in upcycled food containers and a hanging home for beneficial insects. Jaime Johnson and family show you how
Secrets of a COLOURFUL GARDEN
Using a colour theme is an easy way to give any garden a strong, unified character - Nick Bailey shows you how
Indoor plants, outdoor treats
Break the rules and give your house plants a summer holiday, with Michael Perry's mixed pot display ideas
YOUR PRUNING MONTH
The first few weeks of summer are a good time to get spring-flowering plants in shape. Follow Frances' guide for best results
Gardening for wellbeing
As the pressures of modern living bear down, our outside spaces can provide soothing respite for our minds and bodies, says Arit Anderson
Your greenhouse guide to A fruitful summer
Get the best from your greenhouse fruit and vegetable crops this summer, with these tried and trusted growing tips from Adam Frost
Stars of the show
Agapanthus is the perfect midsummer plant, flowering with spectacular blooms from June onwards and, as Monty explains, it loves to grow in a pot