Osteospermum and hebe pot display

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: 30 minutes

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.

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.