Silver Container Arrangement

The extremely attractive purple evergreen leaves of Heuchera 'Stormy Seas' create the frame and setting for the shrubby, compact, silver-leaved evergreen Convolvulus cneorum. The silver is also picked up by the intricate patterning on the leaves of the cyclamen, which has exquisitely scented, long-petaled flowers in fall or early spring.

Eventually, the convolvulus and Heuchera will outgrow the pot — the smaller, less vigorous H. 'Can Can' might be a better choice in a restricted space.

Materials Needed:

• 4 x Cyclamen persicum Miracle Series or Primula 'Wanda'
• 1 x large (or 2 x small) Convolvulus cneorum
• 4 x Heuchera 'Stormy Seas'

Planting and Aftercare

Container basics:
Size Approx. 12 x 12 in (30 x 30 cm), 24-in- (60-cm-) tall brushed metal container
Suits Late summer to fall contemporary scheme
Potting mix Multipurpose potting mix
Site Bright light

The cyclamen are tender, so place the pot in a heated greenhouse to protect from frost. When planting, the tops of the tubers should just poke through the top of the soil. When the leaves fade and plants become dormant, remove the tubers and keep them dry and warm until replanting in early fall. Or plant hardy cyclamen, such as C. coum or C. hederifolium, which can be left outside all year.

As the convolvulus grows, it can be either moved into a garden bed or given its own larger container with more colorful plants around the edges, including the dark-leaved Heuchera.

Plant Specifics

Cyclamen persicum Miracle Series (Image 1)
Tender plants that do not tolerate any degree of frost, Well-drained soil, Full sun, Partial or dappled shade

Convolvulus cneorum (Image 2)
Plants that survive outside in mild regions or sheltered sites, Well-drained soil, Full sun

Heuchera 'Stormy Seas' (Image 3)
Fully hardy plants, Moist soil, Well-drained soil, Full sun, Partial or dappled shade

Alternative plant idea:
Primula 'Wanda' (Image 4)
Fully hardy plants, Moist soil, Full sun, Partial or dappled shade