How to plant a purple pot display

How to plant a purple pot display

Garden lacking in autumn colour? Then try this purple pot display using heather, pansies and ferns.

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 not at its best in January

Plant is not 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 at its best in September

Plant is at its best in October

Plant is at its best in November

Plant is not 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 To do in August

Do To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

This potted display of rich purples marks a change in the seasons as the heat of summer begins to fade away.

The velvety pansies steal the show, while the other plants create an interesting mix of colour and texture – a plain terracotta pot provides a simple counterpoint. The container is perfect for a semi-shaded spot, and the ajuga and fern can be planted out in the garden when the display is past its best.

For more container inspiration, take your pick from our pots and containers to plant up.

Follow our simple steps to plant up this purple pot display.

The velvety pansies steal the show, while the other plants create an interesting mix of colour and texture.
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You Will Need

  • Heather plants
  • Hart's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
  • Purple-flowered pansies
  • Ajuga reptans 'Braunherz'
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Slow-release fertiliser

Step 1

Half fill your container with peat-free, multi-purpose compost and mix in a measure of slow-release fertiliser.

Adding slow-release fertilise to the compost
Adding slow-release fertilise to the compost

Step 2

Add the plants one at a time, packing them in quite tightly. Fill any gaps with more compost.

Planting up the container
Planting up the container

Step 3

Water the container well and place in a semi-shaded spot. Water often but avoid saturating the compost.

Watering the container
Watering the container
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Kevin Smith says

Keep a pair of garden snips or secateurs handy when you’re out in the garden, so you can deadhead the pansies and heather flower spikes as they fade. 

Kvein Smith