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. The fern can be replanted in the garden.More advice on growing shade-loving plantsGrowing shade-loving hostas.Creating a pot display of begonias and ferns.Potting up a shade-tolerant display of ferns, violets and hostas.Learn how to take begonia cuttings.

In this pot design, the graceful astelia and black ophiopogon add structure, while a small-flowered blue pansy or viola unites the blue pot and the plants.September - NovemberOctober - March30 minutesOphiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' x2Astelia

layer of crocks at the bottom of the container, then three-quarters fill with compost.Plant the pelargoniums as the centrepiece to the display, then surround them with Trifolium repens plants. Position the alonsoas at the rear of the pot so their flowers

will look good into the spring. SeptemberNovember - March30 minutesPansy x4PhormiumSkimmiaHeucheraIvy x2Large potMulti-purpose compostCrocksPosition the container where you need winter interest, and place a layer of crocks at the bottom, then three

are dramatically set off when the fibrous tips are backlit by the sun.any time of yearall year round20 minutesPalm, e.g. Dasylirion acrotrichumLarge metal potCrocksFree-draining succulent or cactus compostPut a layer of crocks in the bottom of the container

scrambling through the daisy-like plant fleabane, which will flower all summer.March - April July - September40 minutesAlpine strawberry plants x3Mexican fleabane, Erigeron karvinskianus x2Large wall potMulti-purpose compostCrocksFix the pot securely

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

This rich display has plum tones, which will bring comfort and warmth to a cold winter day. It's easy to plant up and will require no additional effort. For an extra splash of colour in late winter and spring, include a few snowdrop or dwarf

Most herbs originate in hot, dry climates and dislike our cold, wet winters. Growing them in pots is therefore perfect because they can be brought under cover for the winter. Serrated-leaved lavender is an attractive alternative to ordinary lavender

, such as Eschscholzia californica 'Thai Silk Lemon Bush' x5Bidens ferulifolia x2Portulaca oleraceaLarge potCrocksMulti-purpose compostCover the bottom of the pot with crocks, then fill two-thirds with compost.Plant the osteospermum in the centre of the pot encircled