Winter pot display

Erica, cornus and ophiopogon pot display

Find out how to create a striking winter pot display, in our step-by-step guide.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is at its best in January

Plant is at its best in February

Plant is not at its best in March

Plant is not at its best in April

Plant is not at its best in May

Plant is not at its best in June

Plant is not at its best in July

Plant is not at its best in August

Plant is not at its best in September

Plant is not at its best in October

Plant is not at its best in November

Plant is at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do not To do in March

Do not To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do To do in November

Do not To do in December

With this container display, Carol Klein restricts the colour palette to lime-yellow and blue-black. There are no big leaves, and all the plants have a linear feel, where the shapes in between leaves and twigs are as important as the plants themselves. You could achieve a similar effect with willow and cornus stems cut from the garden. If you use potted plants, transplant them into the garden next spring.

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You Will Need

  • Erica carnea 'Aurea' (2)
  • Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' (2)
  • Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (3)
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Large pot or container
  • Polystyrene, optional

Total time:

Step 1

Adding compost to the pot
Adding compost to the pot

Put several bulky pieces of polystyrene, or upturned plant pots, in the bottom of the pot to reduce your need for expensive compost. Scoop compost into the container leaving enough room to arrange the plants.

Step 2

Planting up the pot
Planting up the pot

Try out plants in several different combinations to find the best ways of displaying them. As this is a circular arrangement, it has no back and front and needs to look good from every angle.

Step 3

Filling in compost around the plants
Filling in compost around the plants

Put the corns in the centre, with the two ophiopogons placed on either side so that the foliage drapes itself over the hard edge of the pot. Then place the two heathers in the middle. Add more compost throughout the planting process and then mulch with a layer of chipped bark.

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