Erica, cornus and ophiopogon pot display

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 3 June 2019 at 3:12 pm

Find out how to create a striking winter pot display, in our step-by-step guide.

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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.

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

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

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

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.