Cowslip and anemone pot display

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Wednesday, 3 April 2019 at 10:17 am

Make the most of spring-flowering cowslip and anemone, by planting them together in a container – we show you how.

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Purple and yellow always work well together, and the combination is particularly striking in this pairing of cowslip and anemone.

We've used a grey Moroccan trough, but a wooden or terracotta planter would look just a good. Once the display is over, the plants can all be planted out in the garden – both will do well in a cool, shady spot.

Learn how to plant up this cheery cowslip and anemone pot display, below.

You Will Need

Primula veris (5)
Anemone blanda (6)
50cm trough
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Broken crocks or polystyrene
Water-retaining granules

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Add crocks to the trough to improve drainage, then fill it two-thirds full of compost mixed with water-retaining gel.

Step 2

Planting the cowslips at the back of the trough

Plant the cowslips first, spacing them evenly along the length of the trough and positioning towards the back.

Step 3

Planting the anemones at the front of the trough

Add the anemones, placing them in the the gaps between the cowslips. Anemones are delicate so take care not to break them when planting.

Step 4

Water your arrangement and ensure it never dries out. Deadhead faded cowslips to encourage new blooms.

Kevin Smith says...
This is a faux-lead container – it looks as good as the real thing, but is lightweight and can be moved around easily. Consider a planter like this if you’re after a traditional look full of traditional charm.