Plants for beautiful February pots
Create containers that look gorgeous in February with our simple formula
A vibrant container display can bring instant colour and impact to your garden. But it can be hard to know which plants will work well together. To help you create gorgeous pots every time, we’ve created a recipe for success, it’s called ‘thriller, filler, spiller’.
By following this formula, you can be sure you have all the elements to create a beautiful pot, and you can mix and match to suit your taste and the plants you can find. Each month, we’ll bring you a selection of the best plants to grow in pots, using this formula. Simply choose at least one plant from each section, opting for complementary or contrasting colours, for show-stopping pots guaranteed.
More container planting ideas
- Winter plants for pots
- Best winter-flowering plants
- Five of the best February-flowering bulbs
- Planting in pots
- Gardening for beginners: Container gardening
Follow our formula for creating gorgeous containers, that look at their best in February.
Thrillers
This is your star plant, so you’re looking for something that will give your pot colour and impact. Choose something that instantly catches your eye, as it’ll set the tone for your whole container display.
Thriller: Galanthus nivalis
The elegant beauty of snowdrops will work really well in your pot, whether mixing them with other winter-flowering bulbs or with dark foliage to contrast against their white blooms. There are many varieties of snowdrop to choose from, with their costs varying hugely, but Galanthus nivalis or the common snowdrop is a great choice for its striking simplicity.
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Thriller: Iris reticulata
Iris reticulata is an early-flowering iris that will work really well in pots. Their pale blue to violet flowers will add a welcome burst of bold colour to your February container.
Thriller: Crocus tommasinianus ‘Whitewell Purple’
Crocuses not only provide a welcome early splash of colour, they also provide a source of nectar and pollen for queen bumblebees coming out of hibernation. Crocus tommasinianus ‘Whitewell Purple’ has paler purple flowers than some other varieties, making for a beautifully delicate display.
Thriller: Eranthis hyemalis
Eranthis hyemalis or the winter aconite is another early-flowering bulb to bring some cheer to the late-winter garden, patio or balcony. They will work well grown with snowdrops and other early-spring bulbs.
Fillers
This is likely to be a less showy plant than your thriller, but makes the whole display look fuller and more interesting. For a harmonious display, choose a plant in the same or a similar colour to your thriller, or for a bolder look opt for a contrasting colour.
Filler: Erica × darleyensis f. albiflora 'Silberschmelze'
Winter-flowering heathers can be really effective fillers in your February pots. Erica × darleyensis f. albiflora 'Silberschmelze' has small needle-like green leaves and will produce small white flowers from early winter into spring.
Filler: Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby'
Bergenia's are versatile plants in the garden, and with their evergreen foliage, are worth considering for your February pot. Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby' has green foliage which turns a deep red in the winter months, with small pink flowers appearing in the early spring.
Filler: Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis 'Soft Caress'
This slow-growing evergreen shrub, with quite a mouthful of a name, will flourish in a large pot. Its deep green foliage will work wonderfully with February-flowering bulbs, and later in the year it will produce a show of bright yellow flowers. It is the first mahonia to have leaves without spines, so safe to put in a spot you might brush past.
Filler: Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold'
Another great evergreen shrub choice for your February pot is Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald N Gold’, its bright-golden variegated leaves will turn pinkish-red in colder weather, so make an interesting foliage addition.
Spillers
These plants spill over the edges of the pot, giving the display a softer, more natural look and ensuring there’s no bare compost on show. They’re also useful for filling in any gaps.
Spiller: Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’
The perfect foil to a display of winter-flowering bulbs, the dark foliage of Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ will work really well spilling over the sides of your pot. For the darkest foliage, grow in full sun.
Spiller: Podocarpus nivalis 'Kilworth Cream'
This dwarf conifer is a great choice for your February pot, with its creamy foliage that becomes whiter in the winter months. It can be an effective filler but will also work well spilling over the edge of a container.
Spiller: Calocephalus brownii
The silvery white foliage of Calocephalus brownii, or the cushion bush, will make a statement in your container. Its stark appearance will contrast beautifully with green foliage or early-flowering bulbs.
Spiller: Phormium tenax 'Joker'
Phormiums are really useful architectural plants in the winter months, with their long evergreen leaves and vibrant colour, Phormium tenax 'Joker' is no exception, its green and pink striped foliage will be a great addition to your February container.
Next month: Recipe for beautiful March pots
Exclusively for subscribers, we’ll bring you the best plants to create containers that look gorgeous in March, using our ‘Thriller, Filler, Spiller’ formula.
And using the same formula, find our pick of the best plants for:
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