Pansy, thyme and olive pot display

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Thursday, 18 July 2019 at 10:45 am

Find out how to create an attractive and stylish container display, packed with culinary herbs.

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The hardy winter-flowering varieties of pansy are the best bet for winter and spring containers as they're rarely without blooms, even when other plants are shivering in the cold. The flowers look stunning set off against the golden foliage of the thyme, around the olive tree as a centrepiece.

You Will Need

Pansy plants
Thymus pulegioides 'Archer's Gold'
Common sage, Salvia officinalis
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Olive tree
Large terracotta pot
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost

Total time: 20 minutes

Step 1

Planting the olive in the centre of the pot

Add crocks to aid drainage and fill the pot two-thirds with compost. Add the olive tree to the centre of the pot, ensuring it's level and planted at the same depth it was in its original pot.

Step 2

Thyme planted to spill over the edge of the pot

Position the pansy, thyme and other herbs around the olive, letting the thyme spill over the edge. Fill in any gaps with compost and firm down. Water the container thoroughly and allow to drain.

Kevin Smith says...
Harvest herbs regularly to enjoy tasty pickings and encourage plenty of fresh growth. The pretty violas are edible too – use them to add interest and colour to salads. There’s nothing better than a display that’s both pretty and productive!