Transform packaging tins into colourful plant-friendly containers simply by drilling drainage holes into their bases. It’s a favourite trick in Mediterranean countries where olive oil, biscotti and amaretti are often sold in decorative tins adorned with great graphics. Follow their lead by scouring Italian delicatessens and other ethnic food stores, such as Turkish, Spanish and Asian, for suitable containers. Even regular supermarkets can be great hunting grounds, especially at Christmas time when luxury treats, such as special biscuit and chocolate collections, are often sold in decorative tins.
The safest way to make the holes in the tins is to turn the tin upside down and stick masking tape on the base where you want to make the hole. This stops the screwdriver or drill bit you’re using to make the hole from slipping. Make several holes to allow for adequate drainage.
You can plant up a single container, co-ordinating it with the colour of the plants; or you can be a little more flamboyant, mixing colours and styles. The extrovert nature of most of these tin designs means you can group them with abandon, making a collection that grows over the years.
Aftercare
Both the gaillardia and pansies shown here appreciate a sunny, well-drained position and regular watering. Gaillardias can be planted in spring, and will reward you with non-stop flowers from spring until early autumn, provided you deadhead them frequently. There’s a choice of pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) available during both summer and winter which will reward you with continuous flowering if regularly deadheaded.
