Why is container gardening so popular these days

A. One of the biggest factors is the huge range of attractive terracotta, glazed, wooden and retro-style containers that have come onto the market in the past decade.

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Containers are ideal for small gardens and courtyards where there is no room for beds and, best of all, you can move them around, changing colour and shape combinations whenever it takes your fancy.

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A. Avoid buying pots that are all the same size, colour and shape. Having a variety of pots is as important as having a variety of plants to put in them. And, have a look in the loft or the shed. Things like old sinks, chimney pots or even disused baths can be transformed into eye-catching planters. It is worth splashing out a little bit more for one really large one that will act as a focal point and make sure they're all guaranteed frost-proof.

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A. Good drainage is vital. If a plant sits in water-logged compost all winter it will literally drown. Before putting in any compost completely cover the bottom of the container with crocks (broken pieces of old pots or crockery), stones or even broken up polystyrene packaging.

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Equally, it's no good having good drainage if the water has nowhere to go, so make sure the container is either placed on something porous or lift it off the ground. You can buy container feet from garden centres, but they are costly. A few stones or pebbles underneath will do the job.

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A. Not really. Even the tallest and biggest trees and shrubs will be happy in a large pot, if only for a few years. For contrast try combining structural plants such as bamboos or cordylines with flowering shrubs, annuals and perennials and trailing plants�such as ivy.

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