Your container kit plants are quite hardy and will survive to -6 oC provided they are not waterlogged. They prefer a sheltered sunny spot away from cold winds and will continue to flower all winter except in very cold spells.
On Arrival
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Unpack your plants as soon as they arrive and check that everything you expect is enclosed.
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Water any plants that have dried out in transit.
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Ideally your plants should be planted up within a day or two, but they should stay in good condition for a week or so if stood upright, well-watered and fed occasionally with a liquid plant food. Plants should be left in a light, sheltered place such as a windowsill or greenhouse.
Planting a container
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Get together all the things you'll need: a 30-40cm (12-14") container, good quality potting compost (A container compost is generally better than multi-purpose as it contains more plant food), plants.
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Place broken up pieces of polystyrene plant trays or broken pots in the bottom of your container to help with drainage.
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Fill your container with potting compost so that the level is about 5cm (2") from the top.
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Plant your central plant first by scooping out a hole just large enough for the roots and so the top of the root-ball is at compost level. Then continue planting the outer circle of plants about 2.5 -5cm from the rim of the container, firming gently.
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Top up with compost if needed to about 2cm (?") below the rim of the container.
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Water thoroughly and place in a greenhouse or sheltered spot for a week or so before placing in its final position.
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To help with drainage containers should be stood on pot feet or raised slightly using small pieces of tile or wood.
Aftercare
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Water frequently even on apparently cool overcast days especially when there is a wind blowing. Plants are best watered in the early morning or early evening and should be watered frequently.
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Snip off the dead heads of flowers at regular intervals to encourage a longer flowering season.
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Liquid feed about once a week during the flowering period to keep your plants looking healthy and flowering longer (tomato food is ideal).
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There are generally few pest problems but aphids (greenfly & blackfly) and whitefly may on occasions need to be controlled using an appropriate spray during a mild autumn.
