Plant an early spring container

Plant an early spring container

Discover how to use primulas, hellebores and cherry laurel to create this pretty display.

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 at its best in March

Plant is 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 not at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do 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 not To do in December

This pretty display bridges the gap between winter and spring, and is perfect for a patio.

A sturdy evergreen cherry laurel is the backbone of the scheme. The delicate blooms of primulas and hellebores in contrasting shapes and colours give interest at the front. Give the pot and the evergreen a new lease of life by replacing fading flowers with seasonal plants. All the plants can be moved to the garden when they are past their best, where they’ll last for years.

Create a pretty early spring container to herald in the new season, in just three easy steps.

This pretty pot bridges the gap between winter and spring, providing a display that’s perfect for a patio.
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You Will Need

  • Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’
  • Helleborus x hybridus
  • Primula denticulata (3)
  • Slow-release fertiliser
  • 30cm pot

Total time:

Step 1

Add compost to your pot until it’s half-full. Mix in a handful of slow-release fertiliser granules.

Adding slow-release fertilise to the compost
Adding slow-release fertilise to the compost

Step 2

Add the plants one at a time, with the evergreen at the back. Pack them in tightly.

Planting the hellebore in the container
Planting the hellebore in the container

Step 3

Give your early spring container a good water to settle the compost around the roots. Fill gaps with more compost.

Watering the container
Watering the container
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Reuse the plants in the garden

All the plants can be moved to the garden when they are past their best, where they’ll last for years.

Red watering can