Arranging pots for autumn and winter

Arranging Pots for Autumn & Winter

With Arthur's help, learn how to arrange your pots for autumn and winter to make your garden beautiful.

Arthur has a lovely galvanised pot planted up with 'Viola Tiger Eye Red' and snakes-head fritillaries. Using his fingers, he carefully made holes in the ground and then placed the little bulbs in between all the violas.

Here, Arthur hasn't filled it with bulbs since the violas are well worth leaving space for, instead of suffocating them with other bulbs. If the violas are somewhere sheltered, like a balcony or somewhere else with their own microclimate, they'll continue flowering throughout winter and into spring, provided they are dead-headed regularly.

The problem with allowing the violas to go to seed is that they will stop flowering, so Arthur recommends dead-heading them every week to extend the floral display.

Cardoons

The cardoons will end up being planted in big pots but for now, they're just on the table echoing the big pot.

The more you deadhead your flowers, the more new blooms will grow, so it's worth doing this every week.

You can collect loads of conkers and also add them to the table. Arthur is constantly redoing this table; it never stays the same. He likes to keep the garden table dynamic by using lots of different pots in miniatures.

Choosing the Right Containers for Your Bulbs

If chosen correctly, the best containers for your bulbs will ensure proper soil moisture whilst providing sufficient space for bulb growth and flowering.

Clay, Concrete & Terracotta

Clay, concrete and terracotta containers will wick away moisture from the soil which can cause it to dry out quickly, making them suitable for wet climates.

Wood

Wooden pots also absorb moisture quickly but the moisture is held within the wood which means that soil drys out slower than it would in a clay or concrete pot. Another factor to consider is that wood will rot over.

Plastic

Plastic pots are the best at retaining moisture, but they can easily become waterlogged if not careful. Therefore these are better suited in a warmer climate or sunny spot.

Arthur's Recommendations

Galvanised Containers

Galvanised containers are metal and have been coated with a protective layer of zinc to prevent rusting. When using galvanised planters be sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom and use polystyrene gravel to prevent them from rotting caused by the soil.

Arthur likes to use large galvanised pots or baths with handles on either side for ease of movement, as they become rather heavy once filled. He is always on the lookout for old galvanised planters in vintage shops, and on eBay. You can find your own galvanised small pot or bath here and here.

Smaller Planters

For a smaller planter Arthur recommends a galvanised pail, which again, you can find on eBay here.

Large Copper Planters

Arthur recommends getting your hands on the biggest copper pot you can find that will fit in your space. You can find large copper pots here and here.

A General Guide to Planting Tulips

Blooming period:

Mid-late Spring

When to plant them:

Make sure that you plant your tulips in the Autumn.

Where to plant them:

They should be positioned in full sun or partial shade.

How to plant them:

• They should be planted 5-7 inches deep and 4-5 inches apart.
• You will need to water them once right after planting them and then moderately in the spring (when they bloom) if it hasn't rained for 3-5 days.
• Tulips need a cold period to develop their roots and prepare them for spring. Therefore, as soon as you feel the first chill of autumn, you should plant your tulips.
• Avoid soggy soil, bulbs rot when they are wet or damp. To combat this, you can try adding peat, bark, or manure. If planting in containers, drainage is the most important thing to consider.
• Tulips need to be planted deep enough to protect them from the elements, preventing them from freezing or sprouting too early, only to be caught by the frost. One of the best ways to determine the ideal depth is to dig the hole three times deeper than the height of the bulb. If you live in a climate with harsh winters, it is worth planting them and storing them in a shed.
• Ensure that you plant the bulb with the pointy end up.
• Make sure that none of the bulbs are touching, because if one of them rots, it will quickly spread to your other bulbs.