Today 
Phormiums survive well in most conditions and there are some wonderful dwarf varieties that are perfect for pots. For a cheaper but equally colourful alternative for this planting, you could use cordylines. By the end of summer the fragrant lime-green tobacco plants will be over, however, you'll still have the mainstays of the planting - the phormiums and heucheras - to enjoy over winter.
Plant it:
May - June
At its best:
June - September
Takes just:
30 minutes
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Cover the bottom of the container with crocks, then fill it two-thirds with compost.
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Arrange the plants in the container: start with the two phormiums, positioning them towards the back, dot the nicotianas in between, then tuck the heucheras in the front corners.
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Top up with more compost, firming it around the plant roots with your fingers.
"If you live in a cold area, move the container to a sheltered spot in the winter to stop the phormium's roots freezing."
