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A plant of superior quality, planted in a prime position to show it at its best.

A plant used to provide height and contrast in bedding schemes, usually among shorter varieties or ground cover plants. Plants often used include roses, dwarf trees and pelargoniums.

Any plant that's planted out in a bed, border or pot for a seasonal display, usually during spring and summer. The plants are then removed, making way for next season's display. Spring bedding is composed of spring-flowering bulbs, hardy perennials

Plants that work well together, either aesthetically, because their colours are complementary or they flower at different times, or functionally, because they benefit one another, with one plant perhaps repelling pests that prey on the other.

A small but well-rooted seedling raised in a cellular tray. These plants are particularly useful for covering large areas.

for good drainage. This is particularly important for permanently-planted containers in the garden. This also helps to stabilise lightweight containers.Add compost to the bottom of the container, using the plant in its existing pot as a guide to the depth

Pruning and cutting back is important if your plants are to give their best display or crop, and to prevent them outgrowing their space. Most woody ornamental plants are best pruned in the dormant season or, if they are spring flowering, as soon

Watch Monty Don planting up a sandbox for displaying alpine plants, in our step-by-step video project - with tips for keeping plants cool, and retaining moisture.springMore advice on growing alpinesMaking an alpine pathPlanting alpines in a pot

As temperatures rise and summer sets in, give your container plants a little time and care. Water, feed and deadhead them regularly over the next few weeks and you can keep plants flowering and looking good right into autumn.Container plants

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