Some such as Petunia 'Purple Tower' can even be trained to climb a frame! Early winter is a great time for planting bare-root roses and other dormant shrubs before the ground becomes too hard or waterlogged. 4.6 out of 5 stars 138. Available from Stokes Seeds. Ideal ornamental plant Not many people think of using herbs as bedding plants, but purple sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurescens’) makes an ideal ornamental plant. (Hons) Horticulture. For easy-to-grow, non-stop flowering in shady conditions, there truly is no equal. Light: Full sun. One such container is the large cow which was brimming with geraniums and lobelia last summer. Bottlebrush can be trained in large containers, although it requires space. If grown in a cooler zone, bring the bottle brush plant indoors before the first frost to overwinter it. Sweet peas. For more information about autumn bedding plants for winter and spring flowering, take a look at our 'Top 10 winter bedding plants' guide. Impatiens are a bushy annual plant that grows in a spreading mound to 6-24” tall depending on variety. By Natalie Cornish. The advantages of potted bedding plants. 4. The wispy fern-like foliage adds texture to bedding schemes and works well in an informal cottage-style bed or border. A hardy bedding plant that likes sun or semi shade, violas produce an abundance of dainty flowers on neat compact growth for a subtle but colourful winter display. Corners are great spaces for potted plants and flowers. One of the most versatile summer bedding plants, Begonias are well loved for their large flamboyant blooms... 2. One of the most versatile summer bedding plants, Begonias are well loved for their large flamboyant blooms in a wide range of colours, and their ability to thrive in both sun and shade. Plant in sun or semi shade, and deadhead regularly to encourage flowering. Silvery plants and cool colours, such as purple or blue, look good in galvanised containers. Top 10 summer bedding plants 1. Continue to next page– Pin it A common bedding plant and for good reason! Perlagonium geraniums are classic container plants. Our pick! Nearly all summer bedding plants can be raised from seed although there is often a lot of work involved, from germination to pricking out tiny seedlings. The ever-popular French and African marigolds are, in fact, both native to Mexico, where they have been used for medicinal, ceremonial, and decorative purposes for centuries. Today, home gardeners enjoy them as easy-care bedding plants, equally at home in the vegetable garden as they are in containers … These sturdy, sun-loving plants are well suited to hot, dry conditions and flower all summer through to the first frosts. Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’ is one of the best alternatives to box, especially in pots. Its metallic evergreen leaves look good all year round, and smell great too. Texas Red Yucca – Is one of the best drought tolerant flowering succulents. Bedding plants offer a decorative display for flower borders, hanging baskets, beds and more! *Your 20% discount only applies to plants, bulbs and seeds.© 2020 Thompson & Morgan. If you don't have the time or space for raising fiddly seedlings why not try our bedding plug plants to quickly get your garden started! Pelargoniums, commonly known as Geraniums, are versatile bedding plants for summer and include trailing, climbing and upright varieties which are perfect for beds, borders, patio containers, hanging baskets and obelisks. Heathers make excellent bedding plants over winter. Many violas often have a delightful sweet fragrance too, which makes them perfect for hanging outside your kitchen window, or planting in pots by the back door. Use flowers along edges. Although they prefer full sun, pansies also thrive in semi shade making them the ideal plant for filling winter hanging baskets and containers, as well as plugging gaps in your borders. While most are plain green, look for types with a mottling of dark red or white edges for extra interest. Pansies are another popular fall flower choice. Try combining with... Cosmos. Some varieties such as Begonia 'Non-stop Mocca' even have dark leaves to add foliage interest to bedding schemes. For more subtle colour, plant some between brighter bedding plants such as pansies and cyclamens. Plant in terracotta pots on a sunny patio for a stunning sunny shores effect; clashing pinks, oranges and purples are the order of the day. Choose a container with adequate drainage holes, as amaranth likes to be moist but not sit in water. Full sun is best; Yuccas. They form the pillars of the patio or deck space. As versatile as pansies, try a dwarf upright variety like Viola 'Sweeties' or a viola that everyone wants to grow 'Bunny Ears' which will certainly add some bounce to your baskets. Petunias are popular for their large trumpet flowers in a fantastic array of bright colours and patterns, including stripes and picotees. https://www.thompson-morgan.com/top-10-winter-bedding-plants Not only do they look fabulous in the garden, rudbeckias also make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers for a vase indoors. The large saucer-shaped flowers bob prettily on slender, wiry stems and are a great source of late nectar for pollinating insects. Zahara zinnia (Zinnia marylandica) unfurls non-stop flowers (no more deadheading) and leaves packed with disease resistance (no more powdery mildew). The dainty flowers of lobelia create wonderful dense waterfalls of colour in hanging baskets and containers, or grow the upright varieties for edging beds and borders. Here are our top bedding plants to plant this autumn – both for winter interest and early spring displays. Initially looking after the grounds and coordinating the plant trials, I now support the web team offering horticultural advice online. Once back home, I spend several days placing them and then planting them all out, in over 250 assorted containers. More often seen in white, alyssum, Lobularia maritima, creeps around and makes fragrant annual ground cover or trails from pots. These autumn flowers are perfect annuals for plant beds, borders, containers and large groupings. The best thing about bedding is the colour they bring to your garden displays.