How to plant up a colourful container display

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 8 July 2019 at 9:25 am

Give your garden a taste of the tropics with this hot pot, planted with impatiens, coleus and lantana.

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You can’t beat this vibrant combination for an intense colour hit – it’s just the thing for brightening your patio and bringing a taste of the tropics to your back garden.

All the plants will perform throughout the summer, with the display becoming more exuberant as the months pass. Don’t be afraid to be bold – this mix of intense colour is unashamedly chaotic, which is what makes it such a success. A bright glazed container adds to the drama.

For more shots of colour, why not try planting up a crocosmia, penstemon and rudbeckia pot display.

Discover how to plant up a pot of colourful flowers, below.

You Will Need

Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Slow-release fertiliser
Impatiens 'New Guinea'
Lantana 'Pure Gold'
Coleus 'Deep Purple'

Total time: 20 minutes

Step 1

fill-the-container-4

Add multi-purpose compost to your container and mix in a measure of slow-release fertiliser granules.

Step 2

position-the-plants-3

Position the impatiens at the back of the display with the other plants mixed together at the front.

Step 3

water-the-container-2

Fill any gaps with more compost and water the container well. Water regularly through the summer.

Provide protection

Lantana is a tender plant that needs to be brought indoors for winter, or you can take cuttings in summer.

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