Creating spring pots for a shady spot is easier than you might think - there are lots of shade-tolerant spring bulbs, bedding plants and perennials to choose from.

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Discover how to plant up a container for shade.

We've used ferns, bulbs, violas, heucheras and bergenia for splashes of spring colour and interesting textures - most can be planted out in the garden after the display is past its best.

Try our three beautiful container recipes for inspiration.

Fern and fritillaria pot

We used:

  • 2 x Fritillaria meleagris
  • 3 x small, young ferns
  • 1 x bowl-shaped terracotta pot
Fritillaria and fern pot
A magenta fritillary planted with ferns

Bergenia and saxifrage pot

We used:

  • 2 x Bergenia cordifolia 'Winter Glow'
  • 1 x Saxifraga x arendsii
  • 1 x glazed green pot
Bergenia and saxifrage container
Bright-pink bergenia planted with saxifrage

Heuchera, viola and ivy pot

We used:

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Lime heuchera foliage with mauve violets and variegated ivy in a steel bucket
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Verbena bonariensis, Leucanthemum ‘Crazy Daisy’, Dianthus barbatus Mix, and Aquilegia Mrs Scott-Elliot hybrids.

24 free* wildlife-friendly perennials (worth £27.56)

Includes Verbena bonariensis, Leucanthemum ‘Crazy Daisy’, Dianthus barbatus Mix, and Aquilegia Mrs Scott-Elliot hybrids.

*Just pay £5.95 postage to receive 24 FREE wildlife-friendly perennials (6 plugs of each variety).

Offer ends 23.59, Tuesday 15 July.
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