To celebrate the arrival of our new planters - the Parham and the Hoxne - I wanted to share one of my favourite spring planter arrangements. Here’s my step-by-step guide

Supplies:

· Ideally a waterproof and opaque vessel

· Living carpet moss

· Spring bulbs of your choice

· Contorted hazel branches

 

Step 1 – Choose your vessel 

It all starts with your planter. The most important attribute it needs to have is to be waterproof, which means either our new Parham Planter or our Hoxne Bowl would both be fantastic options. The Parham Planter has a beautifully textured, matte white finish, which gives it a timeless look, while its 31.5cm diameter means it’s very versatile. The Hoxne Bowl has more depth and a 33.5cm diameter. Each one is handmade and has an elegant, organic shape. The choice is yours!

Step 2 – Start with gravel 

Once you’ve selected your planter (I’m using the Parham in this example), you’ll need to prep it by adding a thin layer of gravel across the bottom for drainage.

Step 3 – Add your bulbs 

Now, it’s time to add your spring bulbs. For me, the more, the merrier – the more bulbs you can fit into the space, the more impactful it will be. You can use any spring bulb that you find at your local garden centre, but I have a soft spot for Narcissi Bridal Crowns.

Aim to position the bulbs tightly together and don’t be afraid to break them up if you’re struggling to get as many bulbs in place as you’d like. There’s no need to worry about the roots at this point as your bulbs will still flower without them. After you’ve filled the planter as much as you can, plug any gaps with peat-free compost.

Step 4 – Cover with carpet moss

Next, cover the compost with fresh living carpet moss. When choosing pieces, try to select the greenest moss as it’s more spring-like and visually pleasing. Don’t be too concerned about it looking perfect, I personally like the moss to spill over the edge to give the arrangement a more natural look.

Step 5 – Bring the drama with branches

The final step in the process is also my favourite – adding contorted hazel branches. While not strictly essential, I think these branches take your arrangement to the next level, adding architectural edge. Cut your branches to size – I’d recommend somewhere between 60 and 80cm – and push them into the moss at different angles. Be sure to take a step back every few minutes and view your planter at different angles so you can check you’re 100% happy with the positioning.

Step 6 – Enjoy

To keep your planter looking its best, remember that it’s always better to under water rather than over water. Keep an eye on the compost and mist or lightly water every few days when it looks dry. Then, all that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy all-season-long!