Bedding plants for pots and patios
- George
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Unless you have a very sheltered garden, it is probably still a little early to be thinking of planting out bedding plants for the pots, containers and hanging baskets located on your patio or in your garden. However, in another month, once the last frosts have abated, it will be time to think about your container arrangements.
If you have hanging baskets to fill, then think about planting flowers which will hang down attractively. Tendrils of ivy or hanging lobelia are good choices for this, as are colourful petunias. Some varieties of begonia also have blooms which will hang prettily and give a good splash of colour.
If you have large containers to fill, consider choosing plants that will give some height. You may want to choose a miniature conifer or something more unusual like bamboo as a centrepiece. Smaller plants, which offer long-lasting colour, include dianthus, geraniums, gazanias and fuchsia. Some of your container plants may need support like sweet peas or clematis but can be ideal for hiding an ugly patch of wall or fencing.
If you are a keen “pot gardener”, do be aware that your container plants will need more frequent watering than plants growing in your beds in the garden. It is a good idea to add a handful of water retaining crystals to the compost when you are preparing your pots and to place gravel around your plants once they are planted as this helps to prevent water from evaporating.