How often have you visited a garden centre with the intention of purchasing just a few pansies, only to leave with a trolley overflowing with plants you did not truly need? This scenario is all too common, especially as spring approaches and gardeners seek to inject vibrant colour into their outdoor spaces. According to Anya Lautenbach, a gardening expert known as the Garden Fairy with over a million social media followers, transforming containers into lush displays does not have to break the bank.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Impulse Purchases
Anya emphasises the importance of preparation before heading to a garden centre. She compares the experience to grocery shopping while hungry, noting that the temptation to buy short-lived, colourful plants can lead to significant waste. Instead, she advises gardeners to develop a clear plan, considering how many pots require filling, the desired colour palette, and the exact quantity of plants needed. "Be more mindful about it. Buy what you need instead of what you see or what you imagine you might need," she suggests.
Invest in Perennial Plants for Long-Term Value
One of Anya's top recommendations is to choose perennial plants over annual bedding options. Perennials return year after year, providing ongoing beauty and reducing the need to replace plants each season. "Perennials will be an investment in the springtime that will keep on giving," she explains. Many gardeners mistakenly believe that perennials cannot thrive in containers, but varieties like erigeron, which flowers throughout the year, are excellent choices. For added visual interest, consider mixing perennials with ivy or muehlenbeckia, a deciduous shrub with small dark green leaves.
Consider Plant Suitability for Containers
Anya urges gardeners to think critically about whether a plant is suitable for pot cultivation. Some plants, such as delphiniums, may quickly outgrow their containers, leading to waste. "Think, will that plant like my pots, are they big enough?" she advises. This mindful approach ensures that selections will thrive in their intended environment.
Explore Cost-Effective Plant Options
For those looking to save money, Anya highlights several affordable alternatives to mature bedding plants. Bare root shrubs and roses, available online and in garden centres, are significantly cheaper than potted versions and, when planted promptly, establish quickly. Plug plants, small seedlings sold in spring, offer another budget-friendly option. While they require initial indoor protection, they soon grow into robust plants. Additionally, gardeners can search their own gardens for self-seeding seedlings like forget-me-nots or transplant snowdrops into pots for temporary display.
Source Materials Resourcefully
Beyond plants, Anya shares tips for saving on gardening supplies. Purchasing compost in bulk with neighbours or from landscaping firms can reduce costs. Instead of buying new plastic seed trays, repurpose household items such as egg boxes, yoghurt pots, and cardboard toilet roll tubes for starting seedlings. Social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace and local gardening groups are also valuable resources for finding free or inexpensive pots and other essentials. "My top tip is not to sit and wait for those people to say, 'Oh, I have a pot'," Anya notes. "Actively ask around in your community before the peak gardening season in April and May."
By adopting these nine strategies, gardeners can create stunning container displays that are both economical and sustainable, avoiding the common pitfalls of springtime overspending.
