Parterres are ornamental flower gardens arranged in precise geometric patterns and defined by straight pathways and crisp box hedging. They often feature a central ornamental element, such as a fountain, a specimen tree or a classical urn. If you love parterres but don’t have enough space in your garden, it is possible to create a very stylish ‘mini’ parterre using two pots!

How it’s done

1. Use two pots that are identical in shape, but slightly different in size.
2. Place a layer of gravel in the bottom of the large pot, and then sit the smaller pot on the gravel. This gives the small pot some height and creates a two-tiered effect.
3. Fill the outside rim with good quality potting mix, then plant with mini mondo grass to form a tiny circular hedge (mondo grass is available in strips, so multiple plants can be potted up in one quick operation.)
4. Fill the inside pot with potting mix, then pot up your feature plant - Don chose a beautiful new form of Italian lavender called ‘Lavender Lace’ for his mini parterre.
   

Lavandula stoechas ‘Lavender Lace’

This new form of Italian lavender grows to around 1m x 1m (3’ x 3’). It has aromatic, mid-green foliage and flowers prolifically over spring and summer. The flower heads feature lilac coloured bracts (or floral leaves) with deeper purple veining.

Lavenders need a well-drained position in full sun. They grow particularly well in pots, and benefit from a light sprinkling of lime around the base of the plant in autumn. Trim after flowering to keep the plant in shape.

Further information

The plants used in our segment are readily available at nurseries. Expect to pay around $12 for 140mm (6") pots of Lavandula stoechas ‘Lavender Lace’, and about $15 for 500mm flora edge dwarf mondo grass.

Good quality potting mix costs around $10 for a 30 litre bag.

Copyright CTC Productions 2003