There are few drinks that capture the feeling of an English summer quite like a glass of Pimm’s. Light, refreshing and filled with garden flavours, it’s the perfect companion to long afternoons outdoors. With a little planning, you can grow many of the ingredients yourself in a single generous container.
This Pimm’s No.1 Recipe Garden Pot brings together fragrant herbs, fresh fruit and edible flowers – all ready to harvest for a classic summer jug.
What you’ll need
- 1 large pot (60cm or larger) with good drainage
- Multi-purpose compost
- A smaller pot for the mint
- A warm, sunny position
Plants
- Alpine strawberry Fragaria vesca
- Borage Borago officinalis
- Lemon tree Citrus × limon
- Mint Mentha spicata
- Cucumber ‘Bush Champion’ Cucumis sativus
Together these plants provide the fresh, aromatic flavours that bring a jug of Pimm’s to life – cooling mint, crisp cucumber, citrusy lemon and sweet strawberries, finished with the delicate blue flowers of borage.
Preparing the container
Choose a large container around 60cm across, deep enough to support the small lemon tree while leaving space for companion plants around the edges.
Fill the pot with fresh compost, leaving a small gap at the top to make watering easier.
This planting works best in a warm, sheltered spot with plenty of sunshine. The lemon tree in particular benefits from warmth, which helps the fruit ripen properly.
Planting your Pimm’s garden
Arrange the plants so each has room to grow while creating a lush, abundant display.
1. Start with the lemon tree
Place the lemon tree slightly off-centre towards the back of the pot. This gives the taller plant room while allowing the rest of the container to fill out around it.
2. Add the cucumber
Plant the bush cucumber ‘Champion’ nearby. This compact variety is well suited to container growing and will soon produce crisp cucumbers ideal for slicing into drinks.
3. Position the strawberries
Tuck the alpine strawberries around the edges of the pot. They’ll form a soft carpet of foliage and produce small, intensely flavoured berries through summer.
4. Plant the borage
Add a borage plant where it has space to grow upwards. Its star-shaped blue flowers are not only beautiful but make a traditional garnish for summer drinks.
5. Contain the mint
Mint is wonderfully fragrant but vigorous in growth. To prevent it from taking over the whole container, plant it inside a small pot first, then sink that pot into the compost.
This simple trick keeps the roots contained while still allowing you to harvest plenty of leaves.
Caring for the pot
A recipe garden thrives with steady care.
- Water regularly, especially during warm weather
- Place the container in a warm, sunny position
- Feed occasionally with a liquid feed suitable for fruiting plants
- Harvest herbs and fruit often to encourage fresh growth
The lemon tree will benefit from warmth and shelter, helping its fruit ripen fully through the season.
Harvesting your Pimm’s ingredients
As summer progresses, the pot will begin to offer a generous selection of ingredients:
- Fresh mint leaves
- Sweet alpine strawberries
- Crisp cucumbers
- Fragrant lemon slices
- Decorative borage flowers
Each brings something distinctive to a refreshing glass of Pimm’s.
Classic Pimm’s No.1 recipe
Once your garden begins to produce, you’ll have everything you need for the perfect summer jug.
Ingredients
- 1 part Pimm’s No.1
- 3 parts lemonade
- Sliced cucumber
- Strawberries, halved
- Lemon slices
- A handful of mint leaves
- A few borage flowers
- Ice
Method
Fill a large jug with ice. Add the sliced cucumber, strawberries, lemon and mint leaves. Pour in the Pimm’s and top up with chilled lemonade. Stir gently and finish with a scattering of borage flowers.
Serve in tall glasses and enjoy slowly.
A pot that tastes like summer
This Pimm’s No.1 Recipe Garden Pot turns a single container into a small celebration of summer flavours. It’s decorative, productive and wonderfully practical – offering herbs, fruit and flowers just a few steps from the kitchen door.
Set in a sunny corner of the garden or on a warm patio, it quietly grows the makings of a perfect summer drink.
Further Reading: How to Start Your Own Vegetable Patch, How to Plan and Design Your Dream Vegetable Patch, Why Choose Sow It Grow It and Feast for Your Garden?, How to Choose the Perfect Flower Pot for Your Crops, Recipe Garden Pots: Grow a Pimm’s No.1 Garden in One Pot, Recipe Garden Pots: Grow a Green Risotto in One Pot, Recipe Garden Pots: Pizza in One Pot
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