In this stylish pot, a purple osteospermum and hebe combine with a green fern for a classy, long-lasting display. The striking, colourful foliage of the hebe complements the flowers.
Choose plants that vary in height to make a display with interest at all levels – ferns are ideal for the ‘backbone’ of a pot. The fern that we’ve used, Dryopteris affinis, is semi-evergreen, and the hebe is evergreen, which means you could switch the osteospermum for a winter bedding plant when summer ends.
You Will Need
- 30cm terracotta pot
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Slow-release fertiliser
- Purple osteospermum
- Hebe 'Heartbreaker'
- Dyropteris affinis
Total time:
Step 1
Half fill your pot with multi-purpose compost and mix in some slow-release fertiliser.
Step 2
Position your plants one at a time with the tallest at the back. Tease the roots as you go.
Step 3
Water the container thoroughly, directing the flow to the roots, not the foliage.
Water the container regularly making sure the compost never completely dries out. Stand the pot on a saucer if conditions are very hot – this will catch excess water meaning none goes to waste.Kevin Smith says…
