20 summer container ideas

Our selection mixes traditional bedding plants such as garvinea with perennials such as black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), achillea and penstemon, with grasses and foliage plants for extra interest. Take inspiration from our selection, below.

More summer gardening content:

• No Fuss Guide: planting a summer pot
• No Fuss Guide: feeding plants in summer
• Garden guide to summer watering

Hot colours

This fiery pot is perfect for a sunny spot.

We used:

• Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'
• Penstemon 'Red Riding Hood'
• Rudbeckia fulgida 'City Garden'
• Anemanthele lessoniana
• Libertia ixioides ‘Goldfinger’

Bedding container

This bright pot will thrive in a sunny position. The plants may not be fully hardy, so will need some protection over winter.

• Garvinea (hardy gerbera)
• Begonia sutherlandii
• Carex comans
• Angelonia angustifolia

Meadow planting

This meadow-inspired pot will do best in a sunny spot.

• Centranthus ruber, known as red valerian
• Achillea 'Terracotta'
• Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland'
• Hordeum jubatum
• Linaria purpurea
• Geum 'Mrs J Bradshaw'

Wildlife-friendly

This pot will attract bees and other pollinators.

• Achillea millefolium 'Red Velvet'
• Malva sylvestris 'Brave Heart'
• Penstemon 'Pershore Pink Necklace'
• Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
• Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Cat'

Shady container

This planting combination will thrive in a shady area.

• Acer palmatum 'Katsura'
• Tiarella 'Iron Butterfly'
• Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Alba' (Dicentra)
• Ivy (Hedera helix)

Perfumed purples

It wouldn't be summer without some fragrance to fill the air.

• Nicotiana 'Perfume Deep Purple'
• Mixed Solenostemon (coleus)
• Rudbeckia hirta 'Denver Daisy'

Light and dark

Use a black container to contrast with the paler tones of these plants.

• Bidens ferulifolia
• Solenostemon ‘Lime Wizard’
• Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’
• Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’

Shades of pink

Perfect for a sunny spot, this container is packed with shades of pink, purple and green.

• Canna 'Phasion'
• Cosmos 'Casanova Red'
• Nicotiana alata
• Solenostemon 'Lime Wizard'
• Ipomoea 'Black Tone'
• Begonia 'Glowing Embers'
• Petunia 'Bright Lights'
• Celosia caracas

Pink + white

This floaty combination will last for months on end.

• Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies'
• Miscanthus 'Morning Light'
• Diascia 'Juliet Pink'
• Verbena 'Aztec Silver Magic'
• Heucherella 'Tapestry'

Move on up

Extend the interest vertically with climbing plants that flower along their length.

• Tropaeolum peregrinum
• Nemesia 'Easter Bonnet'

Keep it simple

Planted in a rustic metal container, this bountiful lavender exudes south of France charm.

• Lavender 'Hidcote'

Fresh and formal

Planted in a wooden tub, this clipped box cone is ideal where formal containers are required.

• Buxus sempervirens (box)
• Veronica 'Shirley Blue'
• Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

Sun-baked spots

Planted with sun-loving succulents, this pot is best sited in those hot spots of your garden.

• Hylotelephium 'Pinky'
• Sedum 'Blue Carpet'
• Saxifraga 'Doctor Ramsey'
• Rhodanthemum 'African Eyes'
• Sedum 'Cape Blanco'

Brilliant for bees

Bees are especially attracted to purple and pink flowers, and this pot is brimming with them.

• Scabiosa 'Blue Diamond'
• Lavender 'Felice'
• Salvia 'Sensation Deep Rose'

Dreamy daisies

This cheery pot is filled with long-flowering daisies, complemented by glaucous brassica leaves.

• Osteospermum 'Glistening White'
• Brachyscome 'Bravo Mix'
• Kohlrabi 'Lanro'

Nicotiana profusion

Nicotianas are brilliant performers. This pared back pairing combines a red-brown and a green-flowered variety.

• Nicotiana 'Tinkerbell'
• Nicotiana 'Lime Green'

Versatile veg

A mix of zinnias are a cheering sight in this pot, but they're supported by beautiful veg and herbs that hide bare soil.

• Zinnia elegans 'Sprite Mix'
• Portulaca 'Calypso'
• Kohlrabi 'F1 Ballot'

Cornfield charm

This refreshingly blue container is planted up with masses of cornflowers, direct-sown in early spring.

• Centaurea cyanus
• Centaurea cyanus 'Black Ball'

Cottage garden

This three-plant blend will lend a relaxed, cottage garden feel to wherever you site it.

• Geranium 'Wargrave Pink'
• Argyranthemum frutescens
• Salvia nemerosa 'Ostfriesland'

Solo sagina

You don't always need to pack a container with different to plants to make an impression. This robust pearlwort will positively sparkle all by itself.

• Sagina subulata

Keep the display going

Many of the plants shown here are perennials. Cut back after flowering and they should reappear next year. Alternatively, plant in the garden when the display is over.