Cosmos, hosta and bedding pot display

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 1 July 2019 at 11:53 am

Follow the easy steps in this guide to plant up a cool-toned summer container.

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Creating container displays is a great way to quickly brighten up your garden.

This recipe uses plants that are bought in flower, for instant impact. The colour palette in this mix is all about cool tones, and the pale blues and whites are also a treat on summer evenings when they’ll stand out in the fading light.

Many bedding plants have double flowers that are difficult for pollinators to get into, but this selection provides flowers that are all easily accessible to insects.

Follow these easy steps to plant up your own cosmos, hosta and summer bedding pot display.

You Will Need

Cosmos ‘Casanova White’ (1 large pot)
Lobelia ‘Light Blue Basket’ (1 tray)
Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria’ (1 tray)
Anagallis monellii ‘Skylover’ (2)
Hosta 'Halcyon' (1)
White alyssum (2)
37cm terracotta pot
Peat-free multi-purpose compost
Slow-release granular fertiliser

Step 1

Adding compost to the container

Use peat-free compost and add slow-release fertiliser. Firm it down as you go – using your fingers rather than your palms – to settle the compost but prevent compaction.

Step 2

Using secateurs to remove old flowers from the plants

Remove old flowers and foliage, and dunk the plants in water so they are saturated. Place the largest specimen in the centre and add the other plants in rings until you reach the rim.

Step 3

Adding in the rest of the plants to the container

Don’t be afraid to squish the rootballs so they fit into tight spaces; at this time of year the plants’ growth is so rapid that they’ll barely notice. Then fill in with compost.

Step 4

Watering in the plants in the finished container

Aim for a finished compost level 2cm below the rim of the pot, then soak with a full watering can. This will settle compost around the roots to anchor the plants.

You can expect this container to keep flowering until the first frosts, if you keep deadheading the spent blooms. Hosta 'Halcyon' is a hardy perennial and can be planted in a separate container or out in the garden after the display is over. The rest of the plants can be composted.

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