Planting a July Hot Pot

Match beautiful plants to an out-of-the-ordinary container, and the overall effect is far greater than the sum of its parts. Tins, bowls, baskets, crates, kettles, scuttles, pails, pots and pans are some of the many alternative containers that, with minor modifications, make remarkable plant partners. This unpolished, old brass coal scuttle turns a matt, reddish brown colour that suits hot coloured plants — Calibrachoa ‘Million Bells Crackling Fire’, French marigolds, trailing Sanvitalia procumbens, Gazanias ‘Gazoo Orange’ and ‘Gazoo Clear Yellow’. In the centre is the ornamental grass, Carex comans ‘Milk Chocolate’, which provides a perfect foil to the bright colours.