In conversation with Katie Wood

It’s tricky to choose a favourite piece from Gardenesque but I’ve narrowed it down to the following:

1.    Venice Large Italian Terracotta Pot
A classic, timeless design that will suit any outdoor space. Frost proof and handcrafted in Tuscany, the quality of this pot will mean it’ll last years. It’s a real investment piece. The warming terracotta colour compliments each and every plant! 

2.    Eris Ancient Stone Glazed Plant Pot
I’m a fiend for a glaze, especially a natural and textured one! The stone colour would look just amazing planted up with Erigeron Karvinskianus (Mexican fleabane) and it’d flower all season long, too. 

3.    Repton Classic Bistro 
I honestly don’t think you can beat a bistro set! It immediately makes you want to drink coffee outside with the sun on your face. 

How to achieve the Mediterranean garden look

Terracotta, terracotta, terracotta! You see it everywhere across the mediterranean and it’ll instantly change the feel of your space. Not only does it look stunning, it has so many benefits too: 

1. Provides excellent drainage due to its porous qualities. This prevents root rot and overwatering, making it ideal for Mediterranean plants such as Lavender, Rosemary and Fig Trees. 
2. Helps to regulate temperature, terracotta does not trap heat
3. Environmentally friendly, it’s a natural and unprocessed finish

There are so many mediterranean plants to choose from that will thrive in the UK. Look out for the silver/grey leaves that can be typical for many Mediterranean plants. Here are some of my favourites:

-    Lavender
-    Salvia
-    Sea Holly
-    Globe Thistle 
-    Phlomis (especially the pink variety!)
-    Lambs ear (so soft!)

Focus on using herbs. Lots of herbs thrive in Mediterranean conditions and create a wonderful aroma. Include herbs for not only their culinary uses but their beautiful flowers which pollinators can’t get enough of! Here are some of my favourites: 

-    Rosemary 
-    Bay 
-    Sage 
-    Oregano
-    Marjoram 
-    Thyme

Use a decorative pot topper. You think of the Mediterranean and instantly, you think of the sea. Shell on earth is the perfect pot topper to bring that in to your garden. Made from crushed up sea shells it looks so pretty around any plant. On top of giving that decorative finish, it too has many benefits:

•        Limits slug damage due to it’s rough texture
•        It’s moisture retaining which means you can water your pots less, saving water
•       Goes without saying… it looks gorgeous!

Use Olive trees or alternatives. Olive trees are a staple in a Mediterranean garden, however they are a little bit more difficult to get hold of here in the UK now. Here are some alternatives that will still give that same feel: 

1. Eucalyptus kybeanensis - Grown here in the UK, it’ll immediately thrive in your garden. This is a slower growing variety perfect for pots.
2. Laurus nobilis (Bay) - Bay trees are beautiful and even better, you can use the leaves in your cooking too. Easy to maintain and evergreen.
3. Phillyrea latifolia - Closely related to the olive tree only hardier. Evergreen with fragrant flowers in the spring followed by black fruits.
   

How to create a planter display for year round greenery 

When you think of show stopping pot displays, you mostly default to flowers. They’re beautiful, only they don’t last forever… but, the foliage does.

A foliage pot display focuses on the leaves and foliage as opposed to the flowers. Not only does this achieve a brilliantly modern and alternative look, it creates an all year round display which requires less maintenance.

Create real interest by playing with different textures, shapes and shades of green, mauve and red. The plant options are endless, but here are a few of my top picks: 

• Fern
• Euphorbia
• Carex 
• Ivy 
• Hosta
• Fatsia 
• Artemisia
• Heuchera
• Stipa 
  

Watch our how to series with Katie Wood

Watch Katie plant up a late winter, early spring display in our New Lucca Italian Terracotta Pot, coming Sunday 30th March. Want more inspiration? Watch our latest video on show-stopping pot styling here.