Osteospermum and hebe pot display

Osteospermum and hebe pot display

Follow our guide to creating a stylish display of purple-leaved hebe, osteospermum and fern.

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 at its best in June

Plant is at its best in July

Plant is 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 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 To do in June

Do To do in July

Do To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

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.

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You Will Need

  • 30cm terracotta pot
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Slow-release fertiliser
  • Purple osteospermum
  • Hebe 'Heartbreaker'
  • Dyropteris affinis

Total time:

Step 1

Adding slow-release fertiliser to the compost
Adding slow-release fertiliser to the compost

Half fill your pot with multi-purpose compost and mix in some slow-release fertiliser.

Step 2

Planting the ferns
Planting the ferns

Position your plants one at a time with the tallest at the back. Tease the roots as you go.

Step 3

Watering the display
Watering the display

Water the container thoroughly, directing the flow to the roots, not the foliage.

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Kevin Smith says…

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