Three creative DIY pot designs, inspired by Chelsea, for decorating your home
Discover the standout picks from the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and other flower shows, where herbaceous perennials steal the spotlight. Even if you're working with a small budget or limited space, you can still enjoy some stunning combinations by planting in pots and containers.
Want to grow herbs, fruits, or veggies in containers? Check out the top 10 fruits for containers, plus essential advice on nursing veggies thriving in pots. For more ideas and inspiration, let's dive into some of our favourite flower-show planting ideas.
Winning Combos
- Scabious, iris, and salvia: This timeless combo harmonizes purple-hued irises, salvias, and scabious, ideal for cottage or wildlife gardens. We created this masterpiece with Scabiosa 'Pink Mist', Iris setosa 'Baby Blue', Salvia nemorosa, pebble mulch, and a 25cm terracotta pot.
- Euphorbia, salvia, and Japanese blood grass: Bold foliage and vibrant blooms ignite this container. The dark-leafed euphorbia offers a stunning backdrop to the fiery salvia blossoms and the zingy imperata grass. Our creation features Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Craigieburn', Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra', Salvia roemeriana 'Hot Trumpets', and a 30cm green-glazed pot.
- Hosta, polystichum, and primula: Designed for shadier spots, this trio aims to create a natural scene. Although the primula will fade away until the next year, the fern and hosta will shine until autumn. We cultivated this ensemble with Hosta'Halcyon', Polystichum setiferum, Primula vialii, and a 30cm orange-glazed pot.
Make Your Display Last
To extend the life of your display, make sure to regularly water and feed the plants inside the container. Check out this quick video on feeding and watering plants in pots for more in-depth advice.
Embrace the Chelsea Spirit
Looking for inspiration from the award-winning designer Manoj Malde? Find out what he adores about the iconic Chelsea Flower Show, along with tips for maximizing your visit and discovering fresh garden ideas. Read on to uncover these hidden gems from Manoj Malde himself!
Enrichment Data:
Garden-lovers unite at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where herbaceous perennials steal the show. If you're on a budget or space is tight, revel in the joy of cultivating your favorite combinations in pots and containers.
The celebrated annual event displayed 16 Show Gardens, 10 Balcony and Container Gardens, four All About Plants gardens, five Houseplant Studios, and unique, non-judged features like the Dog Garden by Monty Don. Notable medal winners included:
- Kazuyuki Ishihara won Garden of the Year for his striking "Cha No Niwa – Japanese Tea Garden" (Gold Medal).
- Manoj Malde was among the architects recognized for their exceptional work (Five Star Award Winner).
- Other notable displays includedRebooting the Garden by Tom Massey (Best Fresh Garden) and Growing Together by Sarah Eberle (Best Artisan Garden).
Container gardening is perfect for a wide variety of fruits, veggies, and herbs. The RHS recommends the following for container success:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries (compact varieties)
- Apples (dwarf rootstocks)
- Peaches (dwarf varieties)
- Figs
- Citrus trees (e.g., lemons, limes)
- Blackberries (bush types)
- Cherries (dwarf varieties)
- Goji berries
Find more information and ideas from the 2025 RHS Flower Show, and if you need more specific inspiration from Manoj Malde, additional sources are required.
- Incorporate the harmonious combination of scabious, iris, and salvia in your home-and-garden, similar to the timeless container garden showcased at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
- Embrace the Chelsea spirit by including fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and dwarf apple trees in your container garden, reminiscent of the recommended varieties for success at the RHS Flower Show.
