Abloom with spring annuals
For sun or shade, colourful annuals evoke a feeling of well-being as they start blooming in spring. The more the merrier!
Cineraria
The colourful flowering perennials are an instant way to get bold and bright colour into a dappled shady area of a garden. Treated more like annuals, ‘Resort Mix’ the low-maintenance cineraria or as they are sometimes referred to as pericallis, can be cut back for an extra flush of blooms. These are particularly vigorous and have a rounded compact form with flowers in deep blue, magenta, violet and various bicolours. They can also be potted for indoors and thrive in cooler climates.
Growing
They do well in early spring, after the danger of frost has passed and before the temperatures get too high. In regions with frost, rather use them as patio plants or even indoors in a brightly lit position for lots of lovely colour. In frost-free areas you will find them available in garden centres as seedlings or as mature plants to grow with confidence. They need a semi shaded position in the garden. Too much shade will result in lanky plants with few flowers and bright sun will scorch them. Plant in rich, well-composted soil and make sure the drainage is adequate. They like plenty of water to flower well, but are also susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Feed monthly with a liquid plant food.
Look out for these
Sunflower ‘Sunbuzz’
The compact, smaller-leafed ‘Sunbuzz’ stands out with its bright yellow flowers, and the fact that it can also be planted in pots. They bloom continuously with long-lasting blooms from early spring right through to autumn. They have an upright habit and grow 30 – 50cm tall.
Digitalis ‘Dalmation’
For tall spikes of glorious colour in the back of a flower bed, foxgloves are the way to go. The ‘Dalmation’ series has a range of soft colours like peach and cream and will grow about 40 – 50cm high. Each Dalmatian spotted tubular flower is a bee and butterfly magnet and they are known to be very easy to care for with just the basics – sun or partial shade, regular watering, deadheading for more blooms and a nice layer of mulch.
Digitalis ‘Camelot’
The taller foxgloves in the ‘Camelot’ range (1 – 1.2m) have large spikes of blooms that will continue to flower throughout the summer in colours like cream, lavender, rose and white. They will be striking towards the back of a garden bed, combined with other plants and are a must for a cottage style garden. They make excellent container plants for large pots. Plant in full or semi shade and keep watered and deadhead regularly. After the first flowers have finished, cut them back and give the plants a good feed with a balanced fertiliser and watch more flowers grow.
Brought to you by the Bedding Plant Growers Association (BPGA)
Find a garden centre near you: