Hot pot

How to plant up a colourful container display

Give your garden a taste of the tropics with this hot pot, planted with impatiens, coleus and lantana.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is not at its best in January

Plant is not at its best in February

Plant is not at its best in March

Plant is not at its best in April

Plant is not at its best in May

Plant is not at its best in June

Plant is at its best in July

Plant is at its best in August

Plant is at its best in September

Plant is not at its best in October

Plant is not at its best in November

Plant is not at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do not To do in March

Do not To do in April

Do To do in May

Do To do in June

Do To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

You can’t beat this vibrant combination for an intense colour hit – it’s just the thing for brightening your patio and bringing a taste of the tropics to your back garden.

All the plants will perform throughout the summer, with the display becoming more exuberant as the months pass. Don’t be afraid to be bold – this mix of intense colour is unashamedly chaotic, which is what makes it such a success. A bright glazed container adds to the drama.

For more shots of colour, why not try planting up a crocosmia, penstemon and rudbeckia pot display.

Discover how to plant up a pot of colourful flowers, below.

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You Will Need

  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Slow-release fertiliser
  • Impatiens 'New Guinea'
  • Lantana 'Pure Gold'
  • Coleus 'Deep Purple'

Total time:

Step 1

fill-the-container-4

Add multi-purpose compost to your container and mix in a measure of slow-release fertiliser granules.

Step 2

position-the-plants-3

Position the impatiens at the back of the display with the other plants mixed together at the front.

Step 3

water-the-container-2

Fill any gaps with more compost and water the container well. Water regularly through the summer.

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Provide protection

Lantana is a tender plant that needs to be brought indoors for winter, or you can take cuttings in summer.

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