It’s easy when you follow our system of Thrillers, Spillers and Fillers

Choose a container of a suitable size and style

Ensure there is adequate drainage in the base

Fill to about three quarters with a good quality potting compost and mix in a controlled release fertiliser

Choose your selection of plants

Thrillers:

this should be a tall plant for the backdrop to give the display height

Spillers:

these should be trailing plants to be planted at the sides of the container to cascade over the rim

Fillers:

these should be bushy plants to fill the container and ensure it is bursting with colour

Fill the gaps with more compost. Water once and let it settle before topping up once more

Keep the compost moist and dead-head the old flowers when necessary.

TONAL
Use tints of the same colour

HARMONIOUS
Use adjacent colours from the colour
wheel for a calm soothing effect
e.g. red, yellow, orange

COMPLEMENTARY
Use opposite colours for a dramatic effect
e.g yellow, violet

Top Tip:

Colours from the red side of the wheel will make spaces look smaller, so ideal for larger areas.  Colours from the blue side will look more distant.