Bedding plants are a beautiful addition to any garden design. They add texture and vibrant colors to window boxes, patio pots, hanging baskets, and borders. These are annuals so will only last 5 months or so, but they will flower profusely in this time.
Summer Bedding Plants
Summer bedding plants are available from late spring and will provide the garden with flowers well into early autumn. Bedding plants are perfect for hanging baskets, Window boxes, and patio containers. Dead-head and feed regularly for the best show of flowers.
Lobelia
Lobelia is a staple bedding plant. Upright and trailing varieties can be planted in window boxes, hanging baskets, patio pots, amd in the border from April. They are perfect for filling in gaps between other plants. They will continously flower into late summer.
If you fancy planting a hanging basket this year, the RHS has a good guide.
Begonias
We stock a wide selection of different begonias from late spring and through the summer months. Begonias are perfect for growing in a shady spot. Trailing or upright, round flowers or spiky flower, and in every colour you could imagine.
Coleus
Although coleus do have a pretty salvia-like flower, they are mainly grown for their striking foliage. They have a very tropical look and grow quite quickly. They are ideal for growing in large patio tubs or in the border.
Marigolds and Tagetes
Marigolds and Tagetes are brilliantly cheerful plants which brighten up the border or patio pots. Their foliage has a zingy scent which attracts bees and pollinators. Flowering from late-spring into autumn. Dead-head regularly and feed with a general purpose fertiliser to encourage more blooms.
Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
No garden is complete without a geranium or two. These hardy bedding plants last well into the autumn and will probably regrow the following year if given some winter protection. They are low maintenance and drought tolerant which makes them perfect for use in south facing window boxes.
Spring Bedding Plants
The Secret Garden Centre bursts into colour in early spring with the likes of Primula, Violas, Pansies, Tulips, Aubretia, Daffodils, and Cyclamen. If you missed planting bulbs during autumn, you can find a range of options that have already started growing and can be transplanted into the border or patio pots. Spring is the perfect time to freshen up patio containers and window boxes.
Daffodils and Narcissus
From late-winter and into the spring you will find an array of different daffodils available. Large cupped varieties such as Carlton and King Alfred are perfect for planting in the border or in large patio pots for a splash of colour. You will also find small species varieties such as Minnow and Tete e Tete which look charming when planted in the lawn or in bowls on the patio table.
Violas and Pansies
Violas and Pansies are one of the most common spring bedding plants. They are easy to care for and brighten the garden on grey days. They can be planted pretty much anywhere.
Primula and Polyanthus
Primula and Polys are ideal for planting in a sunny or shady spot. They can be grown in pots or in the border. Available in many different colours. The pale yellow native primroses look lovely planted in the lawn and in woodland gardens.
Autumn and Winter bedding plants
As summer bedding begin to fade, and the weather cools down, we will have a selection of plants that can replace summer flowers and last through the cold weather. Winter Pansies, Violas, Cyclamen, and Heathers are hardy and long-lasting. Autumn is the best time to plant bare-root wall flowers and bulbs for spring colour. Spring flowering bulbs are available at The Secret Garden Centre from late August until early November.
