Holly and skimmia Christmas pot display

Holly and skimmia Christmas pot display

Create a stylish display to welcome guests at Christmas.

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 not To do in November

Do To do in December

If you like rustic charm and relaxed, informal planting, this pot display is for you. With a traditional holly bush at the centre, and red berry lights for a little sparkle, you couldn’t wish for a more festive container recipe. You should find all these plants at your local nursery and it’s possible to plant the skimmias and stipas in the garden when they outgrow the display.

Put safety first: be sure to buy lights that are safe for outdoor use, which usually means they’ll have a transformer between the plug the first light of the string. The transformer converts the electricity to a lower voltage suitable for use outside, and must be positioned indoors. The wire on the ‘outdoor’ side of the transformer will be thin enough to pass through a window or door for a limited period, while still allowing it to close. Don’t plug into outdoor sockets if the transformer will be exposed.

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You Will Need

  • Holly, Ilex aquifolium
  • Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' (3)
  • Skimmia japonica (3)
  • 30cm terracotta pot
  • Crocks
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Slow-release fertiliser
  • Battery-operated fairy lights

Total time:

Step 1

Adding compost to the pot
Adding compost to the pot

Add crocks to the pot, half fill with compost and pop in a slow-release fertiliser tablet.

Step 2

Planting the holly in the pot
Planting the holly in the pot

Position the holly in the centre of the pot, making sure it is straight, and add more compost.

Step 3

Dividing the stipas
Dividing the stipas

If the stipas are a little large make extra, smaller plants by dividing them with a sharp knife.

Step 4

Planting the stipas
Planting the stipas

Plant the stipas around the edge of the container ensuring they are evenly spaced apart.

Step 5

Planting the skimmias
Planting the skimmias

Add the skimmias between the stipas, backfill with more compost and water thoroughly.

Step 6

Adding the fairy lights
Adding the fairy lights

Twine the lights through the holly and safely connect them to your power source.

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Kevin Smith says…

If you don’t like the prickly nature of holly try osmanthus instead. It looks just like variegated holly, but without the severe prickles that can sometimes be painful. Wear gloves to protect your hands if needs be.

Kevin Smith