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seedsow in February, pot on in April, plant out in Junesummeran hourIpomoea, morning glory, annual climber - seeds or several pot-ready 'Purple Haze' plants48cm urn or similar sized potWillow plant supportJohn Innes No.3 compostMulti-purpose compostPlant

pockets.Sprinkle slow-release fertiliser over the compost, to keep the display looking good for as long as possible.Place the tallest plants at the back of the pot and the shorter plants at the front. Add more compost around the plants and firm gently

-garden style, floating like balloons above the feathery foliage of Cosmos 'Sensation' and its delicate, pink petals. Use a large container for this display, as this combination of plants reaches 1m in height. Prevent the planting scheme from looking too top

.More alpine plant featuresCreate a container display of thrift, phlox and saxifrage.Grow alpine strawberries in an edible display.Watch Monty make an alpine gravel bed.Make an alpine sand box.

A shady garden might seem like a challenge, but in reality there's a huge range of plants suitable for growing in dark places. This container display is made using a boldselection of plants, combining different leaf forms, colours and textures

If you yearn for the smell of the sea and the sight of grasses waving in the dunes, try planting up this coastal-themed container. From late-spring, the thrift brings splashes of colour with profuse pink, white or purple flowers, while the lilac

These sun-loving plants make a dazzling combination when planted together. The silverbush looks good even after its white, bell-shaped flowers have faded; meanwhile, the wallflower keeps churning out gorgeous spikes of mauve flowers for months

The rich copper colours of the verbascum, fennel, sedum and diascia plants in this pot echo the colour of the warm terracotta pot beneath. Tall copper flower spikes of the verbascum give height to the display while the wispy, feathery foliage

-based compostFill 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.AdamBuy a younger birch to keep costs down. After a few years

, then two-thirds fill it with compost.Plant the myrtle in the centre of the box surrounded by the campanulas. Top up the box with compost, gently firming it around the plant roots with your fingers.This container will overwinter outside if there's a