Plants for pots, baskets and containers for Mother's Day and Easter

Potted plant arrangements for Mother's Day and Easter are more attractive than ever this year. Many types of containers are available - some of the most tempting in unusual shapes and materials. Here are a few ideas for plants to grow in containers and tips on how to care for them.

Plants in containers that have caught my eye this spring include orchids. Did you know that orchids grown as pot plants are now as popular as African violets? African violets (Saintpaulia ionanthe) are still in demand, but it depends on how they are potted up. And this is true of all plants offered for sale.

Colour combination

Mini African violets have been selling in glasses the size of night-light holders. For mixed arrangements in baskets, create a sense of harmony by selecting plants with flower colours that tone in with each other. Add green foliage houseplants for successful colour combination.

Potted white orchids, in basket containers, conjure up the cool elegance of Japanese floral arrangements. Similarly, an orchid planted in a chunky glass container epitomises simplicity, as does a single red Miniature Cymbidium in a large planter. Yellow green Phalaenopsis orchid flowers, rising above a whirl of leaves in an Ali Baba style jar, indicates chic interior decorative skills.

A matter of temperature

Choose a Phalaenopsis orchid for a warmish room and Cymbidium for a cooler window space, frost-proof greenhouse, or conservatory. Miniature Cymbidium orchids are as easy to grow as many houseplants - easier than a lot of them. Mine come into flower year after year with little trouble. If possible stand Cymbidium out in the garden once danger of frost has past. And here is a cultivation tip: when re-potting, don't remove the back bulbs.

Containers

Bamboo boxes, woven rattan tubs, and baskets of various kinds can be adapted for use as plant containers. Sculpturally interesting shapes in clay, china or glass can also be effective - especially when care is taken with the planting. Moss in the compost, or large grey stones at the top of a giant planter, lend a sense of completeness to an arrangement.

New plant food

Orchids and other houseplants can be grown with a drip feed plant food system, if preferred. "I Love my Orchids!" is a balanced liquid plant food from Fito. Another drip feed "I Love my Plants!" has been formulated for both foliage and flowering plants.

For ideas on which orchids most appeal to you, a visit to the RHS London Flower Show, on 16 and 17 March, would be bound to inspire creative flair. Tickets are available on the door.

Peace lily

Another plant of the moment is the peace lily, Spathiphyllum wallisii. This perennial thrives well in a warm atmosphere, possibly a kitchen or bathroom, and tolerates central heating. Shiny, bright green, wavy leaves are decorative; but the main attraction is the elegant white spathe, which shields a spike of tiny flowers. Keep the compost moist and grow in sun, providing light shade in summer. April is a good time to divide and repot peace lilies.

Mixed arrangements

Examples of easy-to-grow foliage plants to put in with mixed arrangements are cacti, chlorophytum (when young), ivies (small leaf variegated), setcreasea (for mauve boat-shaped leaves), tradescantia (green and white elliptical leaves), and zebrina (small trailer with green-purple foliage).

For Mother's Day, miniature roses, and hyacinths, campanulas and Jasminum polyanthum can be grown successfully in mixed plant arrangements. But altogether in one trough, as seen in a florist's window this spring, they are perhaps too much of a good thing.

Look out for the houseplant type of Cyclamen persicum - often seen tucked into florists' planted baskets. For brightly coloured scented blooms choose the mini varieties. Colours include crimson, scarlet, salmon, ruby, amethyst, white, purple, and pink.

Primulas should be available for Easter and into April, in mixed plant and flower arrangements. Give them a light place away from direct sunshine. Fortunately this will also suit many of the foliage houseplants likely to be used in mixed planters. Feed plants with Miracle Gro or Phostrogen liquid fertiliser, and remove any faded flowers.

Planted baskets make welcome gifts for Mother's Day or Easter. Plants last longer than cut flowers. In time the plants can be potted up separately. They may be divided or used for propagation to provide gifts for friends. And the basket can be re-used to make up your own floral arrangements.