A fantastic choice for beginner gardeners, bedding plants allow you to be creative and try completely new designs each year. Here are some of our top tips:.
Bedding plants can be raised from seed although buying trays of plugs is by far the quickest and easiest solution. Summer bedding plant seeds are usually sown from February to April, while winter and spring bedding plants are sown from May to July ready to plant out in autumn. Most can be started in seed trays and then pricked out and grown on, but there are a few hardy annuals which need to be sown directly where they are to flower.
Summer bedding plug plants are dispatched in spring, and need potting up and growing-on in frost-free conditions before planting out in late May or early June. Flowering period July-October Where to plant Any reasonable soil in a sunny position Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in March in gentle heat, plant out in May.
Helichrysum Straw Flower The flowers have a distinct Double Daisy look, but there is an important difference, true petals are found only at the centre of each flower — the display comes from the surrounding petal-like bracts. Flowering period July-October Where to plant Well-drained soil in full sun. Height 30cm 12in Spacing 30cm 12in Propagation Sow seeds in March under gentle heat, plant out in May Heliotropium Heliotrope A hundred years ago you would have found Heliotrope or Cherry Pie as it is more commonly known in countless gardens, but not now.
Flowering period June-September Where to plant Well-drained soil in full sun Height cm in Spacing 30cm 12in Propagation Sow seeds in February in gentle heat, plant out in early June Iberis Candytuft Iberis is one of the easiest and most tolerant of all bedding plants. Flowering period June-October Where to plant Well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation It is better to buy small seedlings for potting on.
Plant out in late May Lantana Yellow Sage Lantana is one of the rarities of this list of bedding plants. Flowering period June-September Where to plant Well-drained soil in full sun. Height cm in Spacing 45cm 18in Propagation Sow seeds in early spring, plant out in mid-June Larkspur Annual Delphinium The Annual Delphinium is a relative of the tall stately Delphiniums found in herbaceous borders.
Flowering period June-August Where to plant Well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in March and prick out into pots, plant out in May Lavatera Annual Mallow Plant breeders have transformed this old cottage garden plant into a splendid bushy annual which is bold enough and bright enough to hold its own in a mixed border amidst showy perennial plants. Flowering period June-September Where to plant Well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade Height cm in Spacing 60cm 24in Propagation Sow seeds in March and prick out into pots, plant out in May Limnanthes Poached Egg Flower Limnanthes is slowly becoming a popular bedding plant but is still not a best seller.
Flowering period June-October Where to plant Well-drained soil, thrives in a sunny spot Height 15cm 6in Spacing 15cm 6in Propagation Sow seeds in February under glass, plant out in May Limonium Statice A flower arranging favourite, modern varieties of Statice are showy and can be used in bedding schemes.
Flowering period July-October Where to plant Well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Flowering period June-October Where to plant Well-fed and moist soil is preferred, thrives in sun or light shade.
Height cm in Spacing 15cm 6in Propagation Sow seeds in January in gentle heat, plant out in late May Lupinus Annual Lupin This cottage garden favourite is known to everyone as a herbaceous perennial, so the idea of growing Lupins as a bedding plant may seem strange.
Flowering period June-October Where to plant Well-drained acid soil is preferred, thrives in sun or light shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in February in gentle heat, plant out in May Marigold French Marigolds are the most popular source of oranges and yellows for bedding plant schemes here in the UK. Flowering period June-October Where to plant Any reasonable soil will do, thrives in full sun Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in February in gentle heat, plant out in May Mesembryanthemum Livingstone Daisy The glistening flowers that are produced look like large daisies that come in an array of colours.
Flowering period June-September Where to plant Soil should be well-drained and sandy, in a sunny position Height cm in Spacing 20cm 8in Propagation Sow seeds in March under gentle heat, plant out in May Mimulus Monkey Flower Mimulus are an ideal solution to provide yellow and bright oranges in shaded beds that get little sun and north-facing patios.
Flowering period June-October Where to plant In soil that is not allowed to dry out is essential Height cm in Spacing 23cm 9in Propagation Sow seeds in March in gentle heat, plant out in late May Myosotis Forget-Me-Not For generations tulips growing above a blue carpet of forget-me-nots have been a basic feature of UK gardens in springtime.
Flowering period April-May Where to plant Any reasonable soil will do, thrives in light shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in May or June, plant out in the autumn Nemesia Nemesia has long been a popular bedding plant here in the UK because of its many uses in borders, containers and hanging baskets.
Flowering period June-September Where to plant Any reasonable soil will do, thrives in sun or light shade Height cm in Spacing 15cm 6in Propagation Sow seeds in March in gentle heat, plant out in late May Nicotiana Tobacco Plant Tobacco plants are mainly grown in gardens because of the intense fragrance they give off in the evening. Flowering period June-October Where to plant Any reasonable soil will do, thrives in sun or light shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in March in gentle heat, plant out in late May Osteospermum Osteospermum have become increasingly popular in the UK over the years.
Flowering period June-September Where to plant Any well-drained soil will do, a sunny location is essential Height cm in Spacing 30cm 12in Propagation Sow seeds in March in gentle heat, plant out in late May Pansy With the right care and choice of variety, it is quite possible to have pansies in flower every month of the year, but as a winter-early spring-flowering plant is where it has few rivals.
Flowering period January-December Where to plant Any reasonable soil in sun or partial shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Summer pansies can be sown in February-April under glass and planted out in May.
Winter pansies can be sown in June-July and planted out in autumn. Pelargonium Geranium Geraniums are a hugely popular bedding plant here in the UK due to the lack of care needed and their longevity. Because of their popularity, we have a blog post dedicated to them click here Flowering period June-October Where to plant Any reasonable soil will do, thrives in sun or light shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Take cuttings in July-August and grow on in a cool greenhouse until the danger of frost has passed.
Petunia Petunias are one of the most popular bedding plants here in the UK and come in a wide range of flower colours and sizes, they can be used in borders, containers and hanging baskets.
Flowering period June-October Where to plant Any well-drained soil will do, in a sunny position Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in January-March under glass, plant out in May Rudbeckia Cone Flower Rudbeckia is one of several bedding plants which bear large daisy-like flowers in yellow or orange, Its main feature is the prominent cone-shaped disc in the centre.
Flowering period June-October Where to plant Any reasonable soil will do, thrives in full sun Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in February-March, plant out in late May Sanvitalia Creeping Zinnia Creeping zinnia is an excellent choice as a container or hanging basket plant.
Flowering period June-October Where to plant Any reasonable soil will do, thrives in full sun Height 15cm 6in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in March in gentle heat, plant out in late May Scaevola Another bedding plant that came into prominence in the s hanging basket boom. Flowering period July-August Where to plant Well-Drained soil is essential, thrives best in full sun Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in pots in March, plant out in late May Stock Stocks are more commonly bought as a cut-flower rather than a bedding plant nowadays, but stocks have a great charm and a fragrance that fills the air.
Flowering period April-August Where to plant Well-drained soil which is not acid thrives in full sun or light shade Height cm in Spacing cm in Sweet Pea Many varieties of sweet peas appeared in Victorian catalogues, but today the range is much greater. Flowering period June-September Where to plant Well-drained soil in a sunny position Height cm 6in-8ft Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds outdoors in March-April Sweet William Several types of dianthus are used as bedding plants, Sweet William is the variety that produces densely packed, flattened heads of sweet-smelling blooms.
Flowering period May-July Where to plant Well-drained soil which is not acid in a sunny spot Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in March, plant out in late May Verbena Verbena produces small primrose-like flowers that are usually fragrant and white-eyed. Flowering period June-October Where to plant Well-drained soil in a sunny position Height cm in Spacing 30cm 12in Propagation Sow seeds in March in gentle heat, plant out in late May Viola Violas are a small pansy-like plant which blooms for around 6 months.
Flowering period March-October Where to plant Any reasonable soil in sun or partial shade Height cm in Spacing 15cm 6in Propagation Sow seeds in February-April under glass, plant out in May Zinnia This daisy-like flower is available in all colours apart from blue but dislikes prolonged cool and wet weather. Flowering period July-October Where to plant Compost-enriched soil, thrives best in full sun Height cm in Spacing cm in Propagation Sow seeds in pots in March in gentle heat, plant out in early June.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Kick start the festive season and get in touch with your creative side with our minute online class on creating Christmas wreaths with natural materials.
The perfect seasonal addition to your garden, these low-maintenance expertly trained evergreen trees can be enjoyed for years to come. Home Plants How to care for bedding plants. Pink pelargonium flowers. Immersing the whole pot, soil and root ball of a white hydrangea into a trug of water. Measuring a capful of liquid plant feed to dilute in a watering can of water. Snipping off dead flowers with secateurs.
Subscribe now. Buy now for spring flowers. Hurry - limited time only. Water the bedding plants well while still in their original tray or container. This gives them time to absorb the water as the bed or border is prepared. Prepare the site by turning over the soil with a garden fork or spade. This will aerate it and help to break up any compacted lumps, providing a better structure for roots to grow into and allow for better drainage. Mix in a generous load of multi-purpose compost about a bucket per square metre and a soil improver or manure.
This will enrich the soil with nutrients to help keep your plants healthy. Fork the compost deeply so that the roots of your new plants will grow down into it in search of moisture and nutrients. Use a trowel to dig a hole a little bigger than the pot or container the plant will be removed from.
Bedding needs to be planted at the same depth as it's in the pot or tray, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Check the hole is the right depth and add or remove soil from the bottom of the planting hole as necessary. Use your hands to gently fill any gaps around the plant using more compost or surrounding soil, so that the plant is well supported whilst roots remain below the surface of the soil.
0コメント