Plant containers and window box ideas for Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year so it always nice to have some winter cheer by the house as the garden goes into a more dormant time. Bright combinations in containers on the patio, by the door or in window boxes draw the eye and offer a warm welcome. We often think we can’t have containers brimming with plants through winter but by selecting some hardy shrubs and infill options you may be surprised at the variety available. A visit to your local garden centre this month will surround you with all kinds of inspiration to unleash your creativity. Gather a few containers that appeal and group them in different combinations to see how they will work best together. Whether aiming for a pair of stately containers or a mixed scene of eclectic vignettes, have fun with your designs. Container gardening satisfies the artist within. Scenes that may be difficult to create in a large garden become achievable in a pot.

Ivy is a great spiller (Image: Leigh Clapp) Holly is a classic choice. (Image: Leigh Clapp) Just set aside a spare hour, grab a handful of plants and paint a picture of colours and textures that will cry out ‘look at me’ and make an impact in any space. Whether your style is minimalist, contemporary, classic or rustic, or you are a gardening novice or an expert, you can achieve success in a pot – and in next to no time. Firstly, start with containers that will withstand freezing temperatures, so check all are frost-proof. Make sure your container has drainage holes, as you don’t want to waterlog your plants. The range is diverse from new to recycled possibilities, including metal, wood, ceramic, stone, terracotta or plastic. You don’t need to restrict your choice to bought containers. Anything can take your fancy, such as old baskets lined with plastic, olive-oil cans, coalscuttles, crates, ancient watering cans or industrial salvage. Consider the visual balance between the plants and the container as well as the arrangement of pots.

Recycle an interesting box by placing tiny containers inside (Image: Leigh Clapp) Planting up a winter tub is different from a summer container. With summer mixes you have to allow the plants room to grow and develop, which means that your newly planted container can look a bit empty at first. A winter container has an instant ‘wow’ effect with a densely planted mix of specimens. As evergreens do not grow very much through the winter you can select fairly mature plants. There is no need to leave room to grow. Many people follow the mantra of ‘thrillers, fillers and spillers’ when choosing the plants. Thrillers are the focal point, slightly taller, architectural plants, fillers are plants for the middle spaces to give an abundant look, and spillers cascade over the edge. Make sure you include some of the stars of winter, such as fragrant winter flowers, brightly coloured stems and berried beauties.

Festive colours with cyclamen and berries (Image: Leigh Clapp) Bright orange solanum add zing. (Image: Leigh Clapp) Select plants that will look great through autumn, winter and into spring. Mix evergreens with seasonal flowers and berries. Some of the best plants to include are dwarf conifers, holly, skimmia, heathers, gaultheria, cyclamen, pansies and ornamental kale. There is not just an array of green foliage choices, many are in burgundy or even silver tones when you look at heucheras, tiarellas, cordylines and silver curry plants, to name just a few. Look also at ornamental grasses and shrubs such as cornus, which will drop their autumn leaves and reveal bright red stems. Layer some early spring bulbs, for example miniature narcissi and crocuses, under the top planting to come up in February as a lovely surprise. Consider the colour combinations, shapes, forms and textures of your vertical elements, fillers and trailers that you enjoy and work well with your house and garden.

Ornamental kale is a popular choice for colour and shape. (Image: Leigh Clapp)
To know

• Your local garden centre will have a wealth of small potted shrubs that are ideal for containers through winter to spring. Here are some that are sure to have good options

• Squires Garden Centre, Washington, RH20 3BP
squiresgardencentres.co.uk

• Tates of Sussex garden centres
Centres - Mayberry, Portslade, BN41 1SP; Old Barn, Dial Post, RH13 8NR; Paradise Park, Newhaven, BN9 0DH; South Downs, Hassocks, BN6 9LY
tatesofsussex.co.uk

• Sussex Country Gardener, Mark Cross, TN6 3PJ
sussexcountrygardener.co.uk

• Staverton Nursery, Halland, BN8 6PU
stavertonnursery.co.uk

• Nottcutts Garden Pride, Ditchling, BN6 8TN
notcutts.co.uk

• Haskins Garden Centres, Angmering BN16 4BD, Felbridge, RH10 3HG
haskins.co.uk

Simple topiary gives the wow factor at Christmas. (Image: Leigh Clapp)