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Nemesia plants produce a haze of flowers throughout the summer, and with the pale-gold felt leaves of the helichrysum, a soft cloud-like effect is created. Helichrysum grows happily in sun or part-shade and is ideal for brightening up a dull corner. Annual nemesias tend to flush ...

Planting combinations don't have to be loud to make an impact. Sometimes it's useful to tone down the colours and create a more subtle arrangement that lets you use the hanging basket in many different situations.This arrangement features several different foliage textures and sh...

A hanging basket packed with strawberry plants not only looks great, but will provide you with rich pickings of fresh fruit over several weeks, and all for just a few pounds. Choose your varieties carefully and you can have fruit from June until early autumn. March - AprilJune - ...

Gazania's bright orange daisies add a fiery glow to this tropical planting combination, while the lantana romps away and the sanvitalia busily produces small, daisy-like flowers. The effect is one of guaranteed sunshine, whatever the weather.MayJune - September20 minutesGazania p...

Less is definitely more when it comes to this spectacular container project. The spiky dasylirion makes a huge impact on its own - other plants would just be a distraction. Rather like a natural fibre optic light, its bristling leaves are dramatically set off when the fibrous tip...

In the heat of summer, this showy pot will bring a taste of the tropics to your garden. The huge, red-tinged banana leaves flounce above a frothy skirt of blue-grey parrot's beak and honey bush, and fiery begonias. April - JuneJune - September30 minutesLarge, deep pot, at least ...

This simple container feature uses only three three plants to dramatic effect. The feathery leaves of the soft shield fern arch gracefully over the edges of the pot, making a perfect foil to the silvery leaves of the Japanese painted fern. And the button-like pink-and-white bloom...

This combination of begonia, pelargonium and fern plants will brighten up a shady area. Although unlikely bedfellows, they all enjoy a lightly shaded spot and make an impressive display. The begonia and fern plants will provide interesting shape and texture, while the delicate pe...

Hostas reign supreme when it comes to striking foliage. All hostas look great in containers, but for something a little more unusual, try Hosta nigrescens. Its upright habit makes an eye-catching patio feature.May - JuneJune - August30 minutes Hosta

Before the leafy tree canopy returns in late spring, the woodland floor is alive with colour. If you have a partially shaded spot, plant up a container with pretty flowering perennials such as foamflower, brunnera and bleeding heart, and recreate a little corner of the countrysid...