While many container displays are looking past their best by August, this late-summer display will brighten up a corner of the patio right through autumn. The fiery colours of the crocosmia, rudbeckia and penstemon contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of pheasant’s tail grass.
You Will Need
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily Mckenzie'
- Penstemon 'Red Riding Hood'
- Libertia ixioides 'Goldfinger'
- Rudbeckia fulgida 'City Garden'
- Anemanthele lessoniana
- 37cm terracotta pot
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Slow-release fertiliser
Total time:
Step 1
Place a layer of broken polystyrene or crocks in the base of the pot, to aid drainage. Add compost until the pot is two-thirds full. Push your fingers into the compost or gently knock the pot to remove air pockets.
Step 2
Sprinkle slow-release fertiliser over the compost, to keep the display looking good for as long as possible.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Add the smaller plants around the tallest, filling in gaps with more compost.
Step 5
Water the pot thoroughly and leave to drain.
Kevin Smith says…
These plants are great for a hit of potted late-summer colour, although they can be moved to a border when they stop flowering. They’ll all thrive in a sunny spot, rewarding you with blooms for many years to come.
