Set for Summer Colour

October is the perfect time to fill your garden with plants that will provide bright, long-lasting colour throughout summer. Whether you need cheerful flowers for a shady corner or striking plants for a sunny garden bed, Impatiens and Alstroemerias offer plenty of colourful possibilities.

Both plants are easy to incorporate into the garden and are available in a wide selection of colours and sizes. Choose the right growing position, provide regular care and enjoy a lively summer display that continues throughout the warmer months.

Impatiens for shady spaces

Impatiens are dependable, easy-care annuals that bring warm colour to the garden’s shadier areas. Their neat growth and colourful flowers make them ideal for garden beds, containers and hanging baskets.

The latest varieties offer an impressive selection of colours, from soft pink and white to salmon, burgundy and bright red. When choosing your plants, consider both the colour and the height you need for your planting space.

‘Imara’ varieties grow approximately 25–30 cm tall, making them useful for the front of beds and compact containers. ‘Glimmer’ varieties reach between 25 and 41 cm, while the taller ‘Beacon’ range grows approximately 36–46 cm.

Combining varieties of different heights can create a layered display, while repeating one colour across several containers can bring cohesion to a patio or shaded entertainment area.

How to grow Impatiens

Impatiens perform best in partial shade, where they are protected from intense sunlight but still receive enough light to flower well.

Plant them in rich, moist soil that drains freely. Add compost at planting time to improve the soil and help it retain moisture without becoming waterlogged. Slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal.

Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during hot summer weather. Avoid overwatering, as constantly saturated soil may encourage fungal diseases.

Feed garden plants regularly with a fruit and flower fertiliser to support continuous flowering. Impatiens growing in containers require more frequent feeding and can be fertilised approximately every two weeks during the growing season.

Alstroemerias for lasting colour

Vibrant, low-maintenance and long-flowering, Alstroemerias are an excellent choice for bringing summer colour to garden beds and containers.

Their flowers feature captivating markings and beautiful colour combinations, ranging from clear white and sunny yellow to warm orange, pink, purple and deep red. Their compact, leafy growth also provides an attractive backdrop for the flowers.

The ‘Colorita’ range grows approximately 30–60 cm tall and is well suited to containers and the front or middle of garden beds. Available varieties include ‘Colorita Mulan’, ‘Colorita Yentyl’, ‘Colorita Amina’, ‘Colorita Ariane’, ‘Colorita Claire’, ‘Colorita Diana’, ‘Colorita Ivana’ and ‘Colorita Sara’.

For greater height, consider varieties from the ‘Summer Paradise’ and ‘Valley’ ranges, which grow approximately 60–100 cm tall. Popular choices include ‘Indian Summer’, ‘Summer Break’, ‘Summer Breeze’, ‘Summer Chic’, ‘Summer Heat’, ‘Summer Sky’, ‘Summer Rose’, ‘River Valley’ and ‘Times Valley’.

How to grow Alstroemerias

Plant Alstroemerias in full sun for the best flowering. In particularly hot areas, provide some afternoon shade to protect the plants from the harshest part of the day.

They grow best in rich, well-draining soil improved with compost. Good drainage is essential, as the plants need regular moisture during active growth without sitting in waterlogged soil.

If you are growing Alstroemerias in containers, choose large pots that provide sufficient room for the plants to develop. Water generously during the growing season and check container-grown plants regularly, as pots may dry out quickly during warm weather.

Apply a potassium-rich fertiliser once a month to encourage strong growth and plenty of flowers.

Excellent flowers for the vase

Alstroemerias make beautiful, long-lasting cut flowers and are an excellent addition to home-grown arrangements.

When harvesting a flower stem, hold it firmly near the base and pull it sharply until it breaks beneath the ground. Removing the entire stem in this way stimulates the development of new buds and encourages further flowering.

With the right plants in the right positions, even the sunniest and shadiest corners of the garden can be filled with colour. Use Impatiens to brighten sheltered spaces and Alstroemerias to create long-lasting displays in sunny beds and generous containers.

Brought to you by the Bedding Plant Growers Association (BPGA). Follow Flowering Favourites on Facebook at @floweringfavourites.