Spring pots for shady spots

Creating spring pots for a shady spot is easier than you might think - there are lots of shade-tolerant spring bulbs, bedding plants and perennials to choose from.

Discover how to plant up a container for shade.

We've used ferns, bulbs, violas, heucheras and bergenia for splashes of spring colour and interesting textures - most can be planted out in the garden after the display is past its best.

Try our three beautiful container recipes for inspiration.

Fern and fritillaria pot

We used:

• 2 x Fritillaria meleagris
• 3 x small, young ferns
• 1 x bowl-shaped terracotta pot

Bergenia and saxifrage pot

We used:

• 2 x Bergenia cordifolia 'Winter Glow'
• 1 x Saxifraga x arendsii
• 1 x glazed green pot

Heuchera, viola and ivy pot

We used:

• 2 x Heuchera 'Electra'
• 2 x Viola sororia
• 2 x variegated ivy
• 1 x galvanised bucket