Blazing colour for October

Known for their vivid blooms and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, salvias and bidens thrive in sunny spots and are perfect for borders, containers or hanging baskets. Together, they provide a summer splash of colour with minimal effort.

Salvias

There is a range of salvias commonly known as bedding salvias that are planted as annuals and invariably have brightly coloured flower plumes that will add some sparkle to any garden. These compact plants will grow to 20-40 cm, making them ideal for the front of garden beds or for containers.

Try these:

• Salvia ‘Fire Breather’ is a new variety of compact salvia with an excellent plant habit and exceptional uniformity. The contrast between the fiery red spike and the healthy green leaves makes this a standout in the garden.
• Salvia ‘Vista’ is a dwarf salvia that flowers all season and into autumn if deadheaded regularly. They feature long-tubed bright flowers in dense, erect, terminal racemes in red, purple, cream, salmon, and lavender.

These salvias need: Full sun to part shade, rich, well-draining soil and moderate watering.

Bidens

Many of the Bidens ferulifolia plants have awards to their names due to their outstanding performance and impact in the garden. They come in a variety of brightly coloured daisy-looking flowers, with more being added to the collection every year.

Try these:

• Bidens ‘Golden Empire’ features golden yellow flowers on a compact, upright plant. They will flower all season in window boxes, hanging baskets, mixed containers and flower borders. Size: 30-40 cm.
• Bidens ‘Bee Meadow White’ has bright white flowers on a vigorous plant, perfect for adding to flower beds as fillers. They also do well in containers and hanging baskets. Size 35-45 cm. • Bidens ‘Blazing Star’ is a delightful earlyflowering variety with dark orange stars within yellow petals. Bright and cheerful for blooming throughout the summer. Size: 30-35 cm.
• Bidens ‘Blazing Ring of Fire’ is part of the ‘Timeless’ collection of plants that is known for its continuous flowering on a well-branching plant and rich orange flowers with a golden yellow centre. Size: 30-35 cm.
• Bidens ‘Pretty in Pink’ has dark pink flowers with yellow centres, which is unusual within the bidens group of plants. These are all heat-tolerant and great for pollinators. Size 30-35 cm.

Bidens need: Full sun to semi-shade and rich, moist, well-draining soil. Keep watering until established.

Brought to you by the Bedding Plant Growers Association (BPGA)