Creating a L-Shaped Garden Design Layout
Quick and Easy Garden Styling Tips – Autumn Inspired Planters
A seasonal change of the containers in your garden is a great way to frequently update and refresh your outlook with relatively little expense.
At this time of year, garden centres become a little bare as they divert their attention to Christmas stock, but you can still get some staple container plants that will last you through the autumn and perhaps even through the winter.
Now short-lived summer bedding plants have long gone, think a little more permanent with perennials. Rusty toned grasses such as carex, Pennisetum or pheasant grass are great container plants, along with rich-toned heuchera, strappy phormium and winter pansies.
Whenever You Are Planting Containers Remember:
- Stick to a limited colour palette
- Have a focal plant with height and spilling plants for depth (this helps gives the display balance)
- Contrast textures. Strappy plants always looks great with frothy or spilling plants.
Here’s Our Recipe for a Stunning Autumn Display for Your Entranceway or patio
Pick your favourite container (ideally a larger one), remove the existing plants, empty the compost, give the container a rinse with soapy water (dish soap is ideal here), and replace the compost to give your new plants the added nutrients they need.
Our top plants for this autumnal display are Pennisetum ‘Firework,’ Heuchera ‘Marmalade,’ white and purple pansies and the trusty green trailing ivy. Add more quantities depending on the size of your pot. With short-term container displays, it is perfectly advisable to cram as many plants in as possible.
Position the Pennisetum centrally towards the back of the container to add height to the display (we’re designing this container with a face – or a good site, to be viewed from the front.)
Next add the heuchera (one or two plants) in front of the Pennisetum but slightly off to the side. Plant two to three ivy plants all around the sides of the pot evenly. Now infill any gaps with the pansies.
Position your pot in full sun to partial shade and enjoy for many weeks to come as the weather changes.
Tips On Planting Into Pots
Choose a pot with multiple holes in the base is ideal to allow excess water to drain out.
If the pot has only one central hole, add crocks at the bottom of the pot; this will prevent soil from leaching out of the hole.
Add a peat-free multi-purpose compost to about three-quarters full and position your place on top.
Once you have your plants in place backfill the gaps with compost. Making sure there aren’t any air pockets by lightly pressing the soil around the root balls; a good watering will also help settle the fresh soil.
Leave 5cm (2in) between the top of the soil and the top of the container. This will prevent the compost from spilling over the edge when watering.
When you’re ready to be inspired by what’s possible in your garden, get in touch with our team on 0116 210 0760 and let us design you the perfect garden for your dream home.
