Some great plants that will do very well in pots - look great and easy to maintain:

- Fast-growing Yucca elephantipes, with its dramatic heads of spiky leaves, is at the height of fashion.

- Ornamental figs pruned into balls make wonderful pot plants but, because of their invasive roots, should never be let loose in the garden.

- Perennial succulent mother-in-law's tongue (Sanseviera frifasciata) is also known as snake plant because of its striped, narrow, upright leaves.

- Bromeliads are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and foliage colours.

- Cordylines are popular, with more varieties becoming available all the

time. Many have tropical origins, so they need a warm outdoor position.

- Easy-to-grow, glossy coloured-leaf begonias look good indoors or will brighten up a shady garden