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Silver birch and fern pot display

in : Pots & containers: Trees & shrubs

You will need

  • Silver birch, Betula utilis
  • Soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum x3
  • Heuchera, e.g. Heuchera 'Greenfinch' x3
  • Large, wide pot or wooden barrel
  • John Innes No. 3 loam-based compost

Pots & container categories

Overview

A birch tree makes an ideal focal point and can be grown in a large container. Its silver-white bark and delicate foliage combine with the handsome, soft shield fern and evergreen heuchera leaves for a wonderful woodland combination that will provide year-round interest.
Plant it: October - December or February - April
At its best: All year round
Takes just: 30 minutes

How to do it:

1Fill the barrel with a loam-based compost for weight, stability and long-lasting nutrition. Firm the birch in well, and plant the ferns and heuchera around the base for ground cover.

Adam's tip

Buy a younger birch to keep costs down. After a few years, white bark will develop as it matures.
The heuchera will throw up pretty little flowers in spring, but for extra colour dot some cheerful primroses around the base.

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Talkback: Silver birch and fern pot display
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4dave4 11/02/2012 at 12:38

What size tree would be suitable for a 65L pot?