Plant up a container

Choosing pots

Choose pots that are large enough for your plant, have drainage holes and will suit the style of your garden. Frost-proof terracotta pots are ideal for long-term planting and their weight gives them extra stability. On the downside, their porous quality means the compost will dry out quickly and need regular watering.

Glazed pots look good planted with Japanese maples and camellias, while stone pots are excellent for a classical look. Plastic pots are cheap and retain moisture well, but will need wrapping with bubble wrap over winter to prevent plant roots from freezing. Topiary specimens look good in wooden half barrels or funky metal pots.

Preparation

• Fill pots with fresh peat-free multi-purpose compost or if you're growing shrubs or long-term plants, use a soil-based John Innes compost. There are peat and peat-free versions, and both are easy to re-wet if dry and are heavier than general composts, adding stability to the display.
• Acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, camellias and Japanese maples need special ericaceous compost to thrive - if grown in general purpose compost the leaves will yellow and plants may refuse to grow.
• Compost can be improved by adding a few water-retaining crystals. These swell up when the compost is watered and act like mini-reservoirs, providing water when the plant needs it.
• Controlled-release fertiliser granules mixed into the compost will feed a plant with a balanced supply of nutrients throughout its growing period.
• Many pots have a single, large drainage hole at their base. To prevent this from becoming blocked with compost, cover with a layer of broken bits of pot - broken bits of polystyrene packaging will work just as well. When displaying pots on a paved area, such as a patio, raise off the ground by resting on terracotta feet or even bricks. This will help water drain freely and prevent a build up of moisture at root level.

Planting

• Place a layer of broken pots (known as crocks) at the base of the container.
• Fill pot with your chosen compost to the level of the base of your largest pot - aim to leave a 2cm (0.7in) gap between the top of the compost and the rim of the pot.
• With plants still in their pots, arrange in the container. Put taller plants in the centre and trailing or smaller plants around the edges. An architectural shrub such as a cordyline with annuals that can be changed seasonally is a good way of adding structure and colour.
• If you're planning to have a structural perennial surrounded by a changing display of annuals throughout the year it's worth leaving the temporary plants in their pots, making them easy to change without disturbing the larger plant as they come to the end of their period of interest.
• Otherwise, once you're happy with the arrangement, remove all pots and plant.
• Fill in the gaps with compost and firm with your fingers.
• Finish by watering well.

Aftercare

• Replace the top soil of your potted plants with a fresh layer of compost in early spring. This will give plants an extra boost of essential nutrients needed for healthy growth.
• Plants in containers are in danger of drying out as the weather warms up in spring and summer. Be sure to check the soil and water regularly.