bedding plants... For instant seasonal colour, flowering bedding plants are the answer! They are useful for filling gaps between plants and shrubs that aren't fully-grown, for growing in containers or planting up a whole bed for immediate effect. Although they are short lived (lasting one season only) they grow fast and provide excellent value for money.
Create summer colour . . .
Here are a few varieties, which should normally be planted when the danger of frost has passed, usually from the end of May:
Marigold - Flowers all summer. Shades of orange and yellow. 15-30cm (6-12").
Begonia Semperflorens - Flowers Jun-Oct. Red, white and pink flowers in profusion. 15-25cm (6-9").
Lobelia - Flowers Jun-Oct. Blue, red, white, mauve, includes trailing and upright types. 15cm (6").
Viola - Smaller than Pansy. Flowers Mar-Oct. White, yellow, orange, pink, red, mauve and blue. 15-20cm (6-8").
Pansy - As well as summer flowering Pansies, winter flowering varieties can be planted in autumn to give colour all year round. All colours. 15-25cm (6-9").
Nicotiana (Tobacco Plant) - Flowers Jun-Oct. pink, white, yellow, red and green. Fragrant. 25-60cm (9"-2').
To get instant colour try purchasing trays or pots of the some of the following popular summer bedding plants:
