Let\u2019s not overlook pretty edible plants when planting up pots. Some, such as chives, Allium<\/a> schoenoprasum<\/em>, and fennel<\/em>, Foeniculum<\/a> vulgare <\/em>\u2018Purpureum\u2019, are ready to harvest from late spring and early summer and look pretty when nestled into a tapestry of lacy, textural foliage, providing a harmonious colour palette and a contrast of flower shapes. This planting is designed to be just as at home as an ornamental<\/a> display as it would be sitting near a kitchen door for snipping.<\/p> You may also like<\/strong><\/p> How to achieve the look<\/strong><\/p> Container and composition<\/strong><\/p> It\u2019s wonderful when the garden starts to become truly productive, and how satisfying it is to be able to harness a little of this bounty in an old pot near the house, where you can appreciate the textural harmonies and the delicate colours of late spring<\/a>.<\/p> Using an old zinc trough with handles, which make it easy to move around, I\u2019ve chosen two edible plants that are as good in appearance as they are in taste. The fennel\u2019s filigree foliage provides the perfect backdrop to the chives\u2019 purple drumheads; these are accompanied by the equally attractive foliage of the white ragged robin and the orlaya. These white flowers partner well with pretty aquilegia flowers, their heads bending down towards the quivering quaking grass, which brings the tiniest sensation of movement to this planting. As they grow in and around each other in this simplest and most unassuming of arrangements, there\u2019s a feeling of a self-seeded patch of wildflowers<\/a> and grasses<\/a> that have found themselves casually growing together in a garden corner.<\/p> When planting, ensure you have enough \u2018naked stems\u2019 of the briza and aquilegia to contrast with the fluff of the fennel.<\/p> Cultivation and care<\/strong><\/p> Keep an eye on this one to make sure that it doesn\u2019t dry out completely, but generally this is the easiest of pots to care for. Keep snipping the chive flowers to produce new leaves. You may even get some of these plants self-seeding<\/a> nearby.<\/p> Plants<\/strong><\/p> 1 Aquilegia vulgaris<\/em> \u2018Nivea\u2019<\/strong> Upright stems bearing dainty bell-like flowers with tiny spurs behind. May \u2013 June. 80cm x 50cm. RHS H7.![\"Edibles](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/04\/JI_310523_POSJoThompson_060_preview-edited-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Edible](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/04\/JI_310523_POSJoThompson_061_preview-edited-scaled.jpg\")