A beautiful plant in the wrong pot can look awful. In our segment, Don showed how to coordinate plants and pots for great designer looks

Waterwise style

If you're too busy to look after plants, think about potting up a succulent such as Agave attenuata. It requires minimal care and is very forgiving if you forget to water regularly. Its theatrical, grey-green leaves look fabulous in a black, cast-iron urn (about $130-$150 at nurseries).

Cottage charm

Don planted a rustic wine barrel (around $70-$80 from nurseries) with Brazilian jasmine (Mandevilla sanderi 'Red Riding Hood'). This lovely climber has bright pink flowers from late spring to winter.

Black beauty

Mondo grass is not usually thought of as a pot plant. However, fashionable black mondo (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') can look very stylish in a creamy-coloured concrete bowl ($31.90 from Earthly Tones). The light colour of the pot cheers up the dark colour of the mondo grass.

Contemporary chic

A potted New Zealand flax (Phormium 'Anna's Red') in a square Zincalume pot holder ($245 from Garden Life) adds a great look to any modern design, and makes a superb welcoming statement at the front door. 'Anna's Red' is a variety of flax with burgundy red leaves, which contrast with the pot and provide colour throughout the year.

Mexican flair

A barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) planted in a pewter-coloured ceramic pot ($79 from the Pottery Shack) is an arresting look, especially when set against a brightly coloured wall.

Timeless combination

Citrus, including oranges and lemons, always look good in terracotta pots. You'd see this combination at Versailles! The pot we used cost $49 from Elegant Garden World.

Naturally native

Don planted a grass tree (Xanthorrhoea australis) in a large, square, rust-finished pot ($136 from Made from Steel). Grass trees will live for many, many years in the same container. They need full sun and well-drained potting mix suitable for natives.

Stockists

Earthly Tones: (02) 9832 1115
Garden Life: (02 )9332 1199
The Pottery Shack: (02) 9517 2675
Made From Steel: (03) 5426 2499

Copyright CTC Productions 2002