| Summer Bedding Plants |  |
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| Summer bedding plants are very versatile and can provide colour from late spring right through to the first frosts of autumn. There is a huge choice of colour, form and size, but the most popular varieties include Ageratum, Begonia, Busy Lizzie, Dahlia, Fuchsia, Geranium, Lobelia, Marguerite, Marigold, Osteospermum, Petunia, Salvia and Verbena.
Bedding plants can either be planted in large beds on their own or as is often the case, with other plants such as trees, shrubs and perennials in mixed borders. When planted in large beds on their own it is best to plant large bold groups of the same plant together, either in formal patterns or flowing swathes. In mixed borders, irregular groups of at least three of the same plant will give the best effect and the size of the group should be determined by the space that needs filling.
Thought should also be given to colour selection so that colours that combine well for example yellow and blue, pink and dark blue, yellow and orange are planted next to each other. If the same bedding plant groupings are repeated a number of times, it brings unity to the planting. Some of the same plants might also be used in containers as well. It is also worth bearing in mind the colours of surrounding plants, paving and garden structures. |
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| On arrival | | | • | Unpack your plants as soon as they arrive and check that everything you expect is enclosed. | | • | Water any plants that have dried out in transit. | | • | Ideally plug plants (particularly small plugs & standard plugs) should be potted up within a day or two into large cell trays or 7.5cm pots (3in), but they should stay in good condition for a week or so if well-watered and fed every few days with a liquid plant food. Plants should be left in a light, sheltered, frost-free place such as a greenhouse or cold frame. Loose packed plants are best potted on or planted out immediately, providing the weather conditions are suitable and there is no danger of frost (usually from late May). |
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| Growing on | | | • | Before potting up, thoroughly water your plants and leave to drain for half an hour. | | • | Select your pots or growing trays, which should be at least twice the size of the plug plant. If re-using old pots or trays wash them first in a mild disinfectant solution and rinse well. | | • | For plug plants in trays push the blunt end of a pencil through the hole underneath each plug and the plant will emerge at the top without disturbing the root system. | | • | Handle your plants carefully so as not to damage the leaves and stems. | | • | Fill your pots or trays with a good potting compost as this will contain more nutrients and reduce the need for additional feeding. | | • | Simply make a hole large enough to accommodate the roots with a dibber and plant so that the top of the root-ball is at compost level. | | • | Water well. | | • | Grow on for a few weeks in a light sheltered frost-free spot out of direct sunlight, preferably a cool greenhouse or cold frame. | | • | All your plants should be compact and bushy but as they grow, you may need to pinch out the growing tips of the more trailing types. | | • | When your plants are large enough and have produced enough roots to hold the compost together, they should be hardened off ready for planting out. Simply put your plants outside during the day providing it is not bitterly cold and bring them in at night, and after a week or two they can be left outside or planted out providing there is no danger of frost. |
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| Planting out | | | • | Only plant out after the danger of frost has passed. If however a late frost is forecast after planting out then plants should be covered with a fleece or similar material to protect them. | | • | Most bedding plants do best in a well-drained, but moist soil in sun but some such as Begonia and Busy Lizzie can tolerate partial shade whilst Fuchsia prefer light shade. | | • | Planting distances vary depending on the type of plant but as a general rule plant 23-30cm (9-12") apart except for fuchsia and geranium, which should be 37-45cm (15-18") apart. |
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| | • | Get together all the things you'll need: Trowel, Planting Compost, Plants. | | • | Make a hole large enough to accommodate the roots. Mix an equal amount of planting compost with the soil and add a general-purpose fertiliser. Place your plant in the hole to check it is big enough. | | • | Tap the plant out of its pot or push the blunt end of a pencil through the hole underneath each cell in the tray. | | • | Place in the hole, ensuring that the top of the compost is just below soil level and then fill in with the soil mixture and firm down by pressing the soil gently around each plant. | | • | Water well. |
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| Aftercare | | | • | Water frequently even on overcast days, particularly if it is windy as the soil can still dry out. Plants are best watered in the early morning or early evening. | | • | Snip off the dead heads of flowers at regular intervals to encourage a longer flowering season. | | • | Liquid feed about once a week during the flowering period to keep your plants looking healthy and flowering longer (tomato food is ideal). | | • | There are generally few pest problems but aphids (greenfly & blackfly) and whitefly may on occasions need to be controlled using an appropriate spray. |
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