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Toby plants two bright coloured planters that will flower all the way into summer.

Equipment needed:

• Watering can

Materials needed:

• Two large containers with drainage holes

• Crocks or stones

• A selection of hardy perennials and brightly coloured bedding.

• Slow-release fertiliser

• Multipurpose compost

What to do:

• Start by giving your plants a thorough watering and then allow them to drain.

• Position your perennials starting with the tallest in the middle and surround these with shorter perennials, followed by bedding around the edge. Co-ordinate colours and don’t be afraid to pack in your plants.

• For his first container Toby used:

• 1 x Phormium ‘Maori Queen’ New Zealand flax

• 3 x Helichrysum amorginumRuby Cluster

• 3 xBellis perennis‘Bellissima Red’

• 4 x Pansy ‘Matrix Clear Rose’

• For the second container Toby used:

• 1 x Carex testaceaOrange New Zealand sedge

• 1 x Euphorbiax martinii, Martin’s spurge

• 1 x Heuchera‘Amethyst Myst’

• 5 x Helichrysum italicumCurry plant

• 6 x Pansy ‘Matrix Red Blotch’

• Once you are happy with your scheme, start infilling with compost so that the roots of each plant are totally covered. Compost tends to sink once it has been wetted, so it is worth checking the level again after giving your containers a good soaking. The final level should lie about 2.5-5cm (1-2in) below the rim of the container.

• Deadhead your plants on a regular basis and keep them well watered. Plants in containers always need more water than those growing in the ground.

• When the bedding around the edge begins to look tired, replace it with something else. The perennials in the middle can either be left in situ or planted out in the garden when they get too big.