Growing in pots

This year, I’m going to grow some salvias in pots. I’ve always planted them directly into borders but being drought tolerant, I’ve heard they do very well in pots, so thought I would give this a go. 

I absolutely love Salvias and they are a flower I recommend growing.  Not only do they come in several colours, but they are easy to grow and low maintenance. They also flower from May until whenever your first frost is. If you haven’t grown them before then here is what you need to be aware of.

• They are not fussy about soil type or even if its dry, but they do need sunshine.
• You can pop them in your border of a pot.
• If you are looking at attracting bees into your garden, then this is plant is for you – they are rich with nectar.
• They are fabulous ‘fillers’ with an abundance of flowers and foliage – great if you are looking at filling a gap.
• One of my favourite things about salvias is that they are typically pest and disease resistance, with a natural fungus and pest deterrent in their scent. As a result, they make fabulous companion plants for Roses, helping them keep blackfly and mildew resistant.
• They are very easy to propagate – all you need to do is snip off some side shoots, remove the lower leaves and push them into pots of free draining compost. Leave them in a warm, sunny position and watch and wait.

I’ve never been that experimental with planting pots, but I do love the idea of creating a mini border in a pot so thought this year I would attempt my very first combination of plants, including a salvia, in one pot. I’ve decided on a white theme for my first one, just because white and green flowers are my favourite combination. I’ve gone for Salvia nemerosa Sensation White, Marguerite white, which is a gorgeous Daisy style flower and finished off with Cosmos. I’m hoping come June these pots will be overspilling with lots of white blooms.

Planting up pots – here are my top tips

• Make sure your pot has drainage holes before you start, otherwise your plants will become waterlogged.
• To further aid drainage add a layer of gravel, stones and add a layer of multipurpose compost. You are now ready to pot up.
• Always make sure you look at the height and width your flowers will spread and pot them up accordingly. For my three, I will be placing the Cosmos at the back as these will reach up high, followed by the salvias and then the Marguerite at the front. I’m also going to direct sow some Cosmos in, as in my opinion, you can never have too many.

Another top tip and something I’ve spoken about before are succession pots. 

I got mine from Sarah Raven – Click here

I have about six in total and use them all year round – in spring for potting up dahlias and in autumn for tulips and narcissi. They are a quick and easy way of updating your pots – all you do is lift in and out. It really is as simple as that.

It also means you can remove ‘past their best’ flowers and leave them to die back out of sight.

Next on my list is Phlox and Euphorbia but the choices are endless and as I’ve learnt, its rather addictive. I would love to hear what your favourite combinations are, so do leave me a comment below. One thing that is clear, I’m going to need some more pots!

With love and stay safe, Flowers and Lifestyle by Margot –

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