Bushy, compact, uniform plants which are excellent for bedding and edging. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Flowers mid summer.
Anagallis
Height 10cm (4 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
A showy plant for baskets, containers and bedding, giving blooms all summer long. Grow in containers of good potting compost, or outdoors in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants can be over-wintered for use the following year, however they are often short-lived. Flowers summer.
Angelonia
Height 30cm (12 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
An attractive annual with orchid-like blooms in a range of colours. Suitable for containers, beds and border where they flower all summer. Grow in moist, well-drained soil in full sun, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Flowers summer.
Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
Height 45-60cm (18-24 inches).
Plant 25-30cm (10-12 inches) apart.
Easy to grow in any well-lit aspect given decent soil. Pinch out the growing point 2 weeks after potting. Plant out into larger containers or the garden - not suitable for hanging containers. Remove any fully-open flowers at planting time for better establishment and a longer display. Deadhead regularly to encourage further blooming. Give regular liquid feeds. Technically a hardy perennial, although it is better to discard plants at the end of the season and start again with new vigorous plants. Flowers summer.
Bacopa
Height 8cm (3 inches).
Plant 25cm (10 inches) apart.
One of the easiest trailing plants to grow. You only need to water and feed well for an avalanche of foliage and self-cleaning blooms. Suitable for ground cover and all containers. Pinch once or twice to produce a bushy plant. Flowers summer.
Begonia
Height 15-30cm (6-12).
Plant 25-30cm (10-12 inches) apart.
Vivid specimens for beds, borders and containers. Best grown on after potting in a shady, but warm position. Do not water overhead in direct sunlight as this can cause scorching to the foliage. Best grown away from the heat of the midday sun. Keep moist at the roots with good air circulation around the plants to encourage more flowers. Feed regularly. Remove faded blooms to prolong flowering. 'Dragon Wing' plants can be pruned back by half if too tall during the growing season. All varieties can be brought indoors for use as houseplants after flowering, and may be suitable for use next year provided they are kept growing, in frost-free conditions over winter.
Bidens
Height 25cm (10 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
Golden flowered plants for containers and baskets. Pinch out the growing tip two weeks after potting to encourage bushy plants. Best grown in a hot, sunny, dry location, but do not let the roots dry out. Cut back untidy growth by half if necessary to keep the plant more compact. Can be planted on sunny rockeries or in borders and ideal for all types of containers. Flowers summer.
Brachycome
Height 23-30cm (9-12 inches).
Plant 20cm (8 inches) apart.
This Swan River Daisy can be used in containers or in the border, preferring a sunny open position, but will grow in light shade. Pinch out the growing tip 2 weeks after potting to encourage more shoots and flowers, and feed with a weak liquid fertiliser. Flowers best if sunny and dry. This form of Brachycome is treated as a half-hardy annual. Flowers summer.
Busy Lizzie (Impatiens)
Height 23-30cm (9-12 inches).
Plant 23-30cm (12 inches) apart.
Colourful, half-hardy annuals for bedding, borders, patio containers and all hanging containers, they are very happy in partial shade, so are ideal for planting under trees and in shady corners. After potting, keep the plants warm and water well. Pinch out the growing tips of the 'Fiesta Sparkler' types to encourage a bushy habit and more flowers. Busy Lizzies are extremely versatile and will grow well in most conditions, but do benefit from some shade during a hot summer. Moisture is important so plant in good compost or well-prepared soil. If your plants become too tall, using a sharp knife cut them back by one third and new shoots and blooms will soon reappear. Water well in dry weather but avoid water on the foliage.
Busy Lizzie 'New Guinea' varieties
These larger-flowered varieties are great in the garden, but also make good houseplants. Provide a warm, sheltered spot in beds, borders, patio or hanging containers. Plants like some moisture at the roots but not excessively wet ground. Will grow in light shade and full sun. Can be over-wintered as a perennial, indoor pot plant. Feed plants with high potash liquid fertiliser regularly to enjoy the best blooms.
Cape Daisy® (Osteospermum)
Height 30-45cm (12-18 inches).
Plant 23-30cm (9-12 inches) apart.
Keep in a sunny or well-lit place after potting and pinch out the growing tip after two weeks. Regularly feed with general liquid fertiliser. Good in any container, including large baskets, or borders and beds, but not suitable for Flower Pouches or smaller hanging baskets. Remove faded flowers regularly and apply a high-potash feed once established. Technically a half-hardy perennial that can be over-wintered as a pot plant in a frost-free, well-lit place. Do not over water in winter and only apply half strength general liquid feed every 21-28 days. Flowers summer.
Coleus canina (Pee-off Plant/Scardy Cat Plant)
Height 45cm (18 inches).
Plant 60cm (24 inches) apart.
A unique plant with a specific scent, which can deter cats and dogs from your garden. Will grow in any ordinary, well-drained soil, tolerates dry conditions and enjoys full sun. An annual plant, however plants can be lifted and protected for use next year, alternatively take cuttings to produce new, young plants. Flowers summer.
Dahlia
Height 30-90cm (12-36 inches).
Plant 25-35cm (10-14 inches) apart.
Pinch out the growing tip 2 weeks after potting and grow on until all risk of frost is past. Can be planted in containers or in the garden in any ordinary fertile soil. Dahlias are gross feeders and regular liquid feeding will produce better plants and blooms. Remove flowers as they fade, otherwise the plants will stop blooming. Very easy to grow but do protect young plants against slugs. Technically a half-hardy perennial producing an annual tuber, which can be lifted and stored in a cool, frost-free place during the winter, and started into growth in the warmth the following spring. Flowers summer.
Daisy Crazy (Argyranthemum)
Height 60cm (24 inches).
Plant 38cm (15 inches) apart.
To ensure your plants do not become straggly, pinch the growing tips 2 weeks after potting. Plants are self-cleaning so they do not require deadheading - just lots of feed and water to encourage a mass of flowers. Suitable for borders and patio tubs, but not hanging containers. As a guide, use 3 plants to an 18 inches pot or 1 plant per 12 inches pot. Flowers summer.
Delphinium
Height 20-25cm (8-10 inches).
Plant 23cm (9 inches) apart.
Dwarf Delphiniums are perfect for the front of the border, or patio containers and bedding schemes, where the neatly branching plants produce many blooms. Grow in any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Flowers summer.
Diascia
Height 30cm (12 inches).
Plant 30-45cm (12-18 inches) apart.
Allow 12 plants per 35cm (14 inches) basket. For bedding, rockeries or borders, plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Your Diascias have already been pinched to ensure bushy growth. Remove flower heads as they fade to prolong the flowering period. When the first flush of flowers ends, cut off flowered stems with scissors to promote fresh flower spikes. Watch for greenfly - an early spray with a systemic insecticide will keep this at bay. Suitable for borders, tubs and all hanging containers. Flowers early summer onwards.
Fuchsia
Height 30-45cm (12-18 inches).
Plant 25-30cm (10-12 inches) apart.
Old favourites in the garden, their hanging blooms come in a range of bright colours and appear in profusion all summer long. Perfect for bedding and containers, some varieties have a trailing habit, ideal for baskets and window boxes. Pinch out the growing tip of plants 2 weeks after potting to encourage bushy growth. Repeat pinching as soon as shoots show at least 4 leaves, but leave at least 2 leaves on each shoot. Do not allow plants to dry out as this can cause premature bud drop. Plant in a position that has morning sun but some afternoon shade. Feed plants monthly during the season with balanced liquid fertiliser. Remove flowers and seed pods each week. To over-winter for use next year, bring plants into a frost-free greenhouse or a cool, frost-free, well-lit room in the autumn and gradually withhold water so that the soil or compost is almost dry. Trim back growth lightly in February and, as growth restarts in early spring, gradually increase watering.
Gaillardia
Height 30-38cm (12-15 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
Free-flowering annuals with bright blooms, also makes a good cut flower. Provide a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, poor soil is tolerated. Flowers summer onwards.
Gazania
Height 25-38cm (10-15 inches).
Plant 23-30cm (9-12 inches) apart.
Ideal for larger containers and perfect in a hot sunny border or rock garden. Dig in some gritty sand if your soil is heavy clay. Very easy, needs no feeding and thrives on a summer baking but must not be allowed to become dry at the roots. Half-hardy perennial that can be over wintered in a frost-free, well-lit place. Not suitable for hanging containers. Flowers summer.
Geranium/Pelargonium -Bedding varieties
Height 30-90cm (12-36 inches).
Plant 30-38cm (12-15 inches) apart.
Bushy plants with blooms in a range of bright shades, the Regal Pelargoniums have crinkled and angel-face blooms. Pinch out tips of plants twice after potting to create bushy plants. Grow in any fertile, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun, or plant up patio containers of good, soil-based potting mix. Not suitable for hanging containers. Feed plants with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 10-14 days during spring, and then use a high potash feed when in flower to boost their performance. Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage further blooms. Plants can be lifted and over-wintered in dry, frost-free conditions for use the following year.
Geranium/Pelargonium - Trailing varieties
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
Impressive annual for cascading from hanging baskets, window boxes, any other hanging container or patio containers. Not suitable for planting in garden borders. To ensure a mass display of blooms, pinch out the growing tip of plants twice after potting. Trailing geraniums can withstand some neglect, but regular watering and feeding is very beneficial (feed as per advice for bedding varieties). Because hundreds of loose flower heads are produced, there is no need to deadhead: just sweep the flower petals up daily.
Helichrysum
Height 50cm (20 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
An attractive foliage plant that prefers a dry, sunny site. Pinch out growing tips after 2 weeks. Ideal for all hanging containers and patio tubs. To over-winter, keep on the dry side in frost-free conditions. Flowers are insignificant and only appear in very hot summers.
Lamium
Height 20cm (8 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
To create a bushy plant, pinch growing tip 2 weeks after potting. For best foliage colour, grow in good light but avoid full sun as it can scorch the foliage. Poor light can lead to almost green foliage, but in any situation you will be rewarded with purple flowers. If you prefer, plants can be cut back by one third when the foliage starts to lose the interesting contrast of colours. This will encourage attractive new growth. Suitable for long term planting in the garden and all types of containers. A high potash/low nitrogen feed will help bring out the true colours. Flowers late summer.
Larkspur
Height 60cm (24 inches).
Plant 38cm (15 inches) apart.
Larkspur are annual Delphiniums which come in a range of colours and make brilliant cut flowers. Very easy to grow in any soil in full sun. Not suitable for hanging containers. Flowers summer.
Laurentia
Height 15cm (6 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
For beds and borders, plant out in full sun in ordinary, well-drained garden soil. For tubs and containers 4-6 plants will be sufficient for 30cm (12 inches) containers and 6-8 plants for 35cm (14 inches) containers. Trimming off the faded flowers every so often will encourage more flowers. Suitable for borders, tubs and all hanging containers. Flowers summer. Caution: may cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Lisianthus (Eustoma)
Height 45-55cm (18-22 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
When potting, use small pots and peat-based compost with extra Perlite. Take special care not to over water and keep in a sunny, warm position. Makes an ideal indoor or outdoor pot or container plant. It is equally happy in the garden given full sun and a well-drained soil. Perfect on sandy soils. Never over-pot into too large a pot or container. Remove faded blooms regularly. Easy to grow given the right conditions. Flowers summer.
Lobelia
Height 10-15cm (4-6 inches).
Plant 23cm (9 inches) apart.
The most versatile bedding plant. Very easy to grow and can be planted at the front of the border to form a blanket of colour. Perfect for tubs and all hanging containers. Keep well fed and watered. Grows well in slight shade but will be happy in sun provided the site is not too hot. Flowers summer to autumn.
Lobelia valida
Height 30-38cm (12-15 inches).
Plant 23cm (9 inches) apart.
Pinch out the growing tip 2 weeks after potting to encourage bushy growth. Grows well in a sunny, sheltered spot in the border or in tubs on the patio. Remove flowers as they fade. Plants can be over-wintered and treated as perennials. Cut plants back to ground level after the first frost and mulch well. Flowers summer.
Lysimachia
Height 20cm (8 inches).
Plant 20-35cm (8-14 inches) apart.
A valuable foliage plant that sometimes flowers. Plant in containers and baskets, or use as ground cover especially in shady places, around ponds and in damp situations. Happy in sun or shade. 'Outback Sunset' is a taller, flowering form for similar situations in containers and hanging baskets. It can also be used in the garden, needing a little more sun to perform well. Flowers summer.
Marigold
Height 30-60cm (12-24 inches).
Plant 23-30cm (9-12 inches) apart.
Marigolds are suitable for larger tubs or containers but not suitable for hanging containers. African Marigolds can be planted towards the back of the border. Remove the flower heads as they start to lose their sheen. Feed well and keep a regular watch for greenfly attacks. Routine spraying will keep these at bay. Remove any rotting flower heads after heavy rains or cold weather. Flowers summer.
Nasturtium
Height 15cm (6 inches).
Plant 45-60cm (18-24 inches) apart.
Vigorous annuals for bedding, containers and for filling in gaps in borders. Grows well in most soils in a sunny position, actually gives better performance in poor soils. Flowers summer to autumn.
Nemesia
Height 30cm (12 inches).
Plant 15cm (6 inches) apart.
A showy plant for bedding, containers and borders, giving colourful blooms all summer long. Grow in containers of good compost, or outdoors in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Water well during dry weather to help prolong flowering. Flowers summer.
Pansy
Height 15cm (6 inches).
Plant 23cm (9 inches) apart.
Pansies are true perennial plants that are very often grown as annuals for spring displays in the garden. They are very suitable for all positions in the garden with humus-rich, well-drained soil and will tolerate full sun or partial shade. Perfect for containers and patio tubs etc. Removing flowers on a regular basis will encourage many additional flowers over a long season. Watch out for greenfly attacks, however routine spraying should keep this at bay. Flowers early spring to summer.
Petunia
Height 25-30cm (10-12 inches).
Plant 30-38cm 12-15 inches) apart.
Essential specimens for summer bedding displays, bedding petunias are suitable in patio pots or the border in sunny spots, but not hanging containers. However, trailing varieties such as Surfinia are perfectly suitable for all hanging and patio containers. To produce bushy plants, it is necessary to pinch the growing tips at least once. Do this 2 weeks after potting for trailing plants to ensure you have a plant that produces many shoots that will cascade. Pinch for a second time when the new shoots are 5cm (2 inches) long. This does delay flowering but will ensure a mass of blooms. Feed your plants every 2 weeks when in growth with a high potassium fertiliser, and water freely. It is also very important to remove the sticky flowers as they die during the season- for every flower that is removed, 4 additional blooms will be produced. Please make sure you remove the blooms and the seed heads. If the bloom has dropped, it's still very important to remove the seed head. Cut back by half any leggy plants, and give one feed of high nitrogen fertiliser to rejuvenate.
Poppy
Height 45-75cm (18-30 inches).
Plant 20-30cm (8-12 inches) apart.
Well suited to both borders and taller containers this is an easy plant for almost any garden soil, including poor soils. Not suitable for hanging containers. Poppies resent root disturbance so it's important that they are transplanted carefully. Do not keep too wet whilst in the pots. Poppies will self-seed very easily and in fact can become intrusive if not controlled. Although they prefer sun and a well-drained soil, they will grow with the minimum of effort. Remove any flowers as they fade. Flowers summer.
Rudbeckia
Height 30-60cm (12-24 inches).
Plant 30-45cm (12-18 inches) apart.
Good in any decent soil and thrives in full sun. Makes a stunning centrepiece in beds or taller varieties can be used towards the back of borders. Vigorous, naturally branching and will withstand the weather. Deadhead any old blooms. Also makes a very useful cut flower. Flowers mid to late summer.
Salpiglossis
Height 45-60cm (18-24 inches).
Plant 23cm (9 inches) apart.
An exotic-looking plant that is very easy to grow in sun or light shade and in any decent soil or container. Not for hanging containers. Pinch out growing tips 2 weeks after potting for a bushier and more floriferous plant. Regularly liquid feed and remove faded flower heads. Never let plants become dry at the roots. Flowers summer.
Sanvitalia
Height20cm (8 inches).
Plant 20cm (8 inches) apart.
Pinch out the growing tip 2 weeks after potting to encourage bushy growth. Perfect for all types of containers. Happiest in sun or light shade, in any well-drained compost or ordinary garden soil. Best treated as a half-hardy annual. Flowers summer.
Scabiosa
Height 45-60cm (18-24 inches).
Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart.
A delightful cottage garden plant with pin-cushion flowers in pastel colours, as well as deep, almost black shades. Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Deadhead plants regularly to prolong flowering. Flowers summer.
Scaevola
Height 15cm (6 inches).
Plant 20cm (8 inches) apart.
Use free-draining compost and take care not to over water in the early stages. For large 35cm (14 inches) baskets use 5-6 plants. They like full sun and make excellent hanging basket subjects with stems that can trail up to 100cm (40 inches). Water regularly but never over water. Perennial if kept frost-free. Flowers summer.
Stocks
Height 20-25cm (8-10 inches).
Plant 25-30cm (10-12 inches) apart.
These highly scented plants will grow in most fertile soils or in a large container, and given reasonable care they will flower over a long period. Your plants have already been selected to produce double flowers. Old flower spikes should be removed as they fade. Keep plants well fed, giving them occasional general liquid feeds, but relying mainly on high potash (tomato) feeds for flower production. Do not let plants become dry at the roots. Not suitable for hanging containers. Flowers late spring to summer.
Sweet Pea/Lathyrus Climbers
Plant 20cm (8 inches) apart.
Provide support for plants to climb. Sweet Peas have tendrils, which allow them to climb, however you may wish to tie plants in to help them in the early stages. You should watch for slugs and flea beetle damage (brown spots on the foliage), and control as necessary. Slug damage can be avoided by scattering broken eggshells around the plants, and Flea Beetle infestation is often avoided if plants are kept well watered, especially during dry weather. Provide support for plants to climb. Sweet Peas have tendrils, which allow them to climb, however you may wish to tie plants in to help them in the early stages. You should watch for slugs and flea beetle damage (brown spots on the foliage), and control as necessary. Slug damage can be avoided by scattering broken eggshells around the plants, and Flea Beetle infestation is often avoided if plants are kept well watered, especially during dry weather.
Verbena
Height 30cm (12 inches).
Plant 25-30cm (10-12 inches) apart.
Pinch the growing tip 2 weeks after potting to encourage a good, bushy plant. Provided that the plants are flourishing, feed every fortnight from mid-July to late August. Can be grown in any garden position, best in sun but away from midday heat. For tubs, containers and window boxes allow 6 inches between plants. Water regularly but never over water. Flowers summer.
Viola
Height 15cm (6 inches).
Plant 23cm (9 inches) apart.
Small Violas are suitable for planting in open ground, containers and also Flower Pouches™. Easy to grow in either light shade or full sun, in well drained garden soil. Regular removal of spent flowers will encourage further blooms. Flowers spring.
