Winter primrose pot
Discover how to plant winter bedding such as primulas, cyclamen, pansies and violas in a container to create a pretty winter display.
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Pots of winter bedding will bring cheer to your garden during the coldest months, and they're easy to create. Look out for trays of pansies, violas, outdoor cyclamen and primroses at the garden centre, and plant them on their own, or combined with evergreens such as skimmia.
You can space plants more closely that you would in spring or summer, as they won't grow much during winter. They may not flower during very cold weather but will pick up again during milder spells.
Cold, wet compost can cause the roots to rot, so ensure that your pot has drainage holes in the bottom and stand it on pot feet, so that any excess water drains away. Keep the compost moist but not wet.
Follow our easy guide to planting winter bedding in containers.
You Will Need
- Winter bedding plants such as primroses, pansies, violas or cyclamen
- Multi-purpose compost
- Suitable container
- Watering can
Total time: 30 minutes
Step 1
Fill a pot to around 10cm from the rim with good quality multi-purpose compost. The larger the pot, the more plants you'll be able to include, giving the display more impact.
Step 2
Remove the plants from their pots, teasing out the roots if they are pot-bound. Plant each one so that the top of the rootball and compost are level, just below the rim of the pot.
Step 3
Fill in any gaps between the plants with more compost, holding the flowers out of the way. Gently firm the compost around the plants so that there are no air pockets, but don't compact it.
Step 4
Water well. If the compost settles unevenly, top up the gaps with more compost. Position the pot where you can enjoy it easily in winter – near the front door or on the patio.
What to do when the display is over
In spring, transplant the plants to your borders, where they will flower again next year. Then plant up your pot with new bedding for spring and summer.
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