Be creative with containers

Bell’s Gardening Outlet has announced the opening of its new displays of pots, troughs and containers.
Ideal for new gardeners, those wanting to optimise their patio space or to make a standout feature, containers offer some of the most creative opportunities this summer to reflect your personality and that of your garden.

Outstanding quality, choice and value
Holly Bell, director of retail operations, has sourced exciting new collections from British companies Mims and Kiln Fired Pottery Company. “Designed and fired with great skill, pots from these manufacturers are of high quality, frost-proof and durable for year round display. Customers know we source the finest while offering exceptional value. Our range includes traditional baskets and mangers, to new collections of 12-inch pots, perfect for patio planting, up to oversized which will make ideal centrepieces or containers for larger trees.”

With a wonderful choice of finishes from natural terracotta to lustrous glazes, upcycled zinc ware to sophisticated textures in greys and blacks there is plenty for the traditional or contemporary gardener.

“At Bell’s Gardening Outlet we always have ‘living label’ pots planted, ready to inspire our visitors as they walk in with combinations of varieties and colours. The only limit with containers is your imagination, so here is more of what we have in store for this exciting new section.”

Instant impact
Bedding plants are still the most popular choice for an instant summer show and will give lasting impact into the autumn. Break away from ‘Monet’ pastels to explore hot colours – reds, oranges and browns. Set in a ‘rust’ effect container, the impact is stunning. Equally, black containers are a perfect backdrop for any green teamed with acid colours. Be bright and bold planting luxurious ‘gemstone’ tones together. There is a wide choice of plants on display, including self-cleaning compact petunias and vivid begonias.

Your unique style
The British climate is challenging for growing tender plants and exotics but plant in a container and you can control the soil conditions, relocate the plant when necessary and bring a touch of the tropics into your summer garden. In stock are palms, canna lilies, olives and many more which are ideal for container growing.

You don’t always have to look for combinations. Single theme containers with grasses or succulents, herbs or alpines can give year round interest, texture and contrast. Reflect your unique style with a container vegetable garden of potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, chillies or cucumbers, which are all suited to single container growing and taste even more wonderful when picked fresh from your own plants.

Water features
There are many pots and troughs in stock which will be ideal for creating a magical water feature. Kids can begin with an enamel bowl insect drinking pond while Bell’s large range of upcycled zinc ware will let pond lilies and cold water plants thrive. Water is not only a source of relaxing therapy in your garden, it will also add humidity and attract wildlife too.

The collection of glazed pots will make striking focal points for a fountain or trickling water. Look out for the new stock of water plants arriving at Bell’s this month.

Move it
Your garden need never be static with container planting. Troughs make ideal ‘room’ dividers which can break up large spaces or define areas. Bell’s stock board trolleys which are an ideal buy for helping to relocate larger pots. Hi Lo pulley brackets make watering easily accessible while for larger pots the affordable irrigation kits also available at Bell’s Gardening Outlet work on a timer to ensure the job is done even if you are away.

Potted perennials
The plantspeople at Bell’s are always trailing new varieties and customers at the Outlet can be amongst the first to buy these cutting-edge varieties. Now in stock, and perfect for container growing are pink and purple compact buddleias. These hardy annuals attract pollinating insects as well as give a great show. New this season are heucheras, shade loving and sculptural the varieties include the acid green which works so well with matt black finishes. There are also several unusual varieties of hydrangea including mop head and lace cap – perfect for creating Asian glamour on your patio

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