September pots in the Dutch yard

September pots in the Dutch yard

In this lesson, I'll show you how to work with a red brick backdrop like I have here in the Dutch yard. In the past, I tried working with more pastel colours here but they really clashed with the brick, so now I only use rich red and oranges.

The only exception to this rule is Heliotrope 'Reeva', which we keep here because it has a beautiful scent and we spend a lot of time sitting out here in the evenings.

Recipe for Pots in the Dutch Yard

• Fuchsia 'Eruption'
• Antirrhinums 'Liberty Mix'
• Dahlia dreamy mix 'Hot Chocolate'
• Gazanias
• Bidens
• Dahlia 'Josie'
• Hibiscus 'Mahogany'
• Tagetes linnaeus

Fuchsia 'Eruption' has been growing here for around six years now and we move it into the greenhouse in the winter to keep it frost-free. It's very easy to propagate too, and you can take cuttings in September and then overwinter them in a cold frame for planting the following year.

Using these pots as inspiration

I have a lot of pots in the Dutch yard and having so many can be quite high maintenance as there is a lot of watering and feeding to do every week.

Depending on your needs and time though, you can use these pots as inspiration and just take one or two of these plants to use in your own space, whether it's something low maintenance like the fuchsia or something more showy like a whopper pot.

One of my key tips though, no matter how many pots you choose to make, is to avoid symmetry. Having odd numbers of pots will create more interest and make your garden seem more natural and less staged.