With this container display, Carol Klein restricts the colour palette to lime-yellow and blue-black. There are no big leaves, and all the plants have a linear feel, where the shapes in between leaves and twigs are as important as the plants themselves. You could achieve a similar effect with willow and cornus stems cut from the garden. If you use potted plants, transplant them into the garden next spring.

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You Will Need

  • Erica carnea 'Aurea' (2)
  • Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' (2)
  • Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (3)
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Large pot or container
  • Polystyrene, optional

Total time: 1 hour

Step 1

Adding compost to the pot
Adding compost to the pot

Put several bulky pieces of polystyrene, or upturned plant pots, in the bottom of the pot to reduce your need for expensive compost. Scoop compost into the container leaving enough room to arrange the plants.

Step 2

Planting up the pot
Planting up the pot

Try out plants in several different combinations to find the best ways of displaying them. As this is a circular arrangement, it has no back and front and needs to look good from every angle.

Step 3

Filling in compost around the plants
Filling in compost around the plants
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Put the corns in the centre, with the two ophiopogons placed on either side so that the foliage drapes itself over the hard edge of the pot. Then place the two heathers in the middle. Add more compost throughout the planting process and then mulch with a layer of chipped bark.

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