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encourages flowers to form at the base of each of these pruned shoots.I regularly hear of people whose wisteria won't flower, but my plant flowers very reliably. Perhaps growing it in a pot helps, along with correct pruning, and feeding with a high potash

.So, what's left? Thankfully, I was tempted to buy a couple of hardy evergreen ferns from Fernatix while at Gardeners' World Live a few years ago and now, planted in tall terracotta pots, they take pride of place on my patio during winter.Ferns have rotten

 and John Innes No.3 loam-based compost. All this weight provides extra stability to prevent the trees catching the wind and toppling over. These acers are no more demanding than any plants in pots, and just need regular watering and feeding.The foliage

I’m cross! I'm fed up and I bet I'm not alone in my anger. I keep buying so-called frost-proof pots, but they always seem to break anyway.I tend to buy pots and containers marketed as being 'frost-proof'. It's the most sensible option as (in theory

I'm always looking for plants that make an impact - things that will grab the attention and put on a good show. Seasonal bedding and bulbs are always popular, but many shrubs also grow well in patio pots.Over the years I've tried all sorts, from

Agapanthus make fantastic patio plants and look particularly good grown in terracotta pots. Given a sunny spot and free-draining compost, they'll produce spectacular flowers in June, July or August, depending on the variety.Although agapanthus

and put a layer of crocks in the bottom of the pot.Half-fill the pot with compost, then remove the acer from its container and position it in the middle of the pot.Fill in around the plant with fresh compost and firm it in gently, making sure it's planted

Fill gaps in your summer planting displays with brightly-coloured lilies for a temporary, but timely, burst of colour. Plant lily bulbs into pots then simply drop them, pot and all, into arrangements on the patio, or even in your borders. Lily

varieties, which grow up to 1.2m. With such a wealth of options, you can usually find a variety to fill any gap in a sunny border.Pot-grown bearded iris plantsTrowel or spadeWatering canJune - October15 minutesMay - JuneChoose potted irises carrying several

and multi-purpose compost in the base of the container and add a handful of slow-release fertiliser granules. Mix them into the compost.Knock the plant from its pot and set it in the container. Add more compost under the plant to raise the top