You may also like<\/strong><\/p> How to achieve the look<\/strong><\/p> Container and composition<\/strong><\/p> This container is enormous, and needs to be in a place where it can be admired. It\u2019s a heavy pot to move should you change your mind, so be sure to choose its location carefully before you start.<\/p> Here at Water Lane, the tub sits at the main entrance, welcoming visitors, who pause to admire the enormous panicles of the hydrangea, which are captured against a background of far more delicate flowers.<\/p> The hydrangea<\/a> is the first plant to go in to this arrangement, followed by the echinops<\/a>, whose mesmerising, bold-blue globes match the hydrangea in terms of presence. As its flowers are so much smaller, though, the globe thistle is definitely an enhancer as opposed to a competitor. <\/p> The pale-lemon flowers of the cota glow almost white when placed with the hydrangea, and they bring a softness and delicacy to this bold collection. This idea of elegance is continued by the dots of purple verbena, whose colour is then picked up in turn by the bottlebrushes of the agastache. Barely visible, the catananche\u2019s silvery papery buds and lilac-white flowers catch the light and add to the sense of sparkle, which serves to balance the huge hydrangea.<\/p> Cultivation and care<\/strong><\/p> This pot can take a bit of shade and is probably happier out of the full blast of the summer sun. Make sure the soil doesn\u2019t dry out, and when deadheading<\/a>, leave the hydrangea flowers to age on the stems.<\/p> Plants<\/strong><\/p> Verbena bonariensis<\/em><\/strong> A perennial with purple<\/a> flowers atop tall stiff stems. June \u2013 September. 1.5m x 45cm. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 7a-11.<\/p> Catananche caerulea<\/em> \u2018Alba\u2019 <\/strong>Papery white flowers atop slender stems. July \u2013 September. 60cm x 30cm. RHS H5, USDA 4a-7b.<\/p> Hydrangea paniculata<\/em> \u2018Phantom\u2019 <\/strong>Large pale-green panicles fade to white. July \u2013 September. 2.5m x 2.5m. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 3a-8b.<\/p> Agastache<\/em> \u2018Blue Fortune\u2019 <\/strong>Clumps of tight stems carry spikes of lavender-blue bottlebrush flowers. Leaves are aromatic. July \u2013 October. 1m x 40cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b. Here’s more great perennial plants for your garden <\/a> <\/p> Echinops ritro<\/em> \u2018Veitch\u2019s Blue\u2019<\/strong> Perennial with globes of intense blue flowers on top of silver stems with spiny silver leaves. July \u2013 August. 1.2m x 50cm. RHS H7, USDA 3a-8b. Here’s everything you need to know about echinops<\/a><\/p>![\"A](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_160723_POSJoThompson_074v2_preview-edited-scaled.jpg\")
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