South Hams Lifestyle Jun - Jul 2022

JUST GO...
potty!
In this edition, our regular contributor Matt Biggs explains
how there is much joy to be gained from potted plants...
Sometimes you see a plant and really,
really want one – but you know that
your soil is the polar opposite of what
that coveted plant wants to put its roots
down into. Some plants just don’t like the
restrictions of a pot, but others, despite all
odds, thrive.
There are many joys for the pot gardener
– one of the most obvious being that they
are mobile so once that fabulous burst
of Spring bulbs is over, or the heady
fragrance of your favourite witch hazel has
passed, you can pop it to the back of your
space for a rest and bring forward the
next to star centre stage!
You can grow veggies in pots, you can
grow herbs in pots – and place them
handily by the back door to avoid soggy
slippers when you just need that sprig of
rosemary for the roast lamb – pots are
just great. Children can have ownership
of their own pot to try different things and
if you raise height then gardeners with
mobility problems can access them too.
Just moved in and not ready to commit
to a planting plan, or maybe there is an
unattractive aspect that just needs hiding,
enter the pot, large, small or in clusters a
pot display is the ideal way to add a little
pizzazz and to hide that which is best not
seen!
You don’t have to go down the posh pot
route either – there are some absolutely
fabulous ones in garden centres and
nurseries, but you can also utilise things
you already have for a bit of quirky
recycling. Leaky buckets, old sinks, cut
down plastic containers can all host
something lovely and if you are artistic,
you can paint them, the options are
endless.
Whatever your pot personality is – go for it
and see what you can do. Just remember
to collect that rainwater so you can water
them too!
Image: Sarah Clarke’s wonderful pot
grown Wisteria
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