Potting with Sean Anthony Pritchard

Another of our favourite accounts on Instagram to follow, not just for his gardening triumphs but the shots of him bringing them into his joyful interior. From the circus stripe sofa, the overflowing bookcases, the towering dressers and chests – each provides the most uplifting cacophony of colour that form the backdrop to his many, many pots and vases. On the subject of pots, we couldn't wait to hear (and see) what he'd choose to plant up in this season's most popular terracotta pot of all – our trio of handmade-in-Britain, scalloped-edged Eden plant pots...

What are your golden rules of pot planting?

"Generally, I tend to stick to one type of plant per pot. This might not seem very creative when there are a million combinations of planting options, but by sticking to one type of plant, it really presents it in a regal and formal way. Daffs, for example, look so stately in a pot on their own. Annuals too. A pot just filled with nicotiana or zinnia looks magical."

Let’s go pot by pot, what ideally would you plant in our lowest Eden pot?

"The scalloped edge of these pots is like a nice collar for whatever you plant inside. The lower pot works brilliantly with alpines or succulents. Sedum for example would be a good choice where the texture contrast between the foliage and the scalloped edge works really well. Again, I tend to stick to one plant species per pot, but you could try adding two or three sedum types."

And what about in our tallest Eden pot?

The tall pot is perfect for having herbs on your outside table or by a kitchen window. Try lemon thyme which will gracefully flop over the scalloped edge and smell delicious whenever you stroke it!"

And last but not least, our third and final pot?

"Nasturtiums look great tumbling from this pot. You could even construct a little wigwam using small hazel twigs to train the nasturtiums up too. Alternatively, this pot would look wonderful planted up with Erigeron karvinskianus."

Onto saucers – do you prefer terracotta to match the pot or something contrasting?

"Matching terracotta saucers look smart, but I don’t get hung up on making sure everything is the same. Often it’s more about what I have available that can do a job! I love the accidental ecelectrism of it all."

Any saucer sourcing tips?

"Honestly? In the house I use old side plates as saucers. It makes the pot look slightly less formal and adds a bit of personality."

You’re known for planting things high and mighty. Which flowers do you find are best to do this with? And do any tips for keeping them straight?

"Most tall plants will eventually need support. The key is to have the supports in place before the plants need them, as it is harder to install when there is less space. I am, however, quite bad at this and often leave it too late. I don’t get too hung up about it though as there is often a beauty in letting plants fall and lean as they want to. Nicotiana are great tall annuals that gracefully collapse as they get taller."

Quick fire round – if you had to pick a favourite flower to pop into a terracotta pot for each season which would you choose?

"A hard one! The choice is endless but if I had to pick favourites:

Spring – daffs
Summer – Erigeron
Autumn – dahlias
Winter – Pelargoniums, for indoors

And finally, if you had to choose two go-to plants for two of the rooms in your home which might you pick?

"In the loo, I'd always choose a pelargonium, and then if we go to the bedroom I like something with a nice subtle fragrance next to my bed. Some sweet-scented daffs in spring would be just perfect."

For more planting inspiration, head to the gardening section of our reads.