Colour parade

Summer brings in the brightest annuals for the year. Some sun-loving plants and colourful options for the shade; these are some of the best varieties to plant now.

Zinnias

For the sunny garden, zinnias will prove to be tough and bloom all summer long. The range of colours available these days is astounding – the boldest pinks, brightest oranges and sunny yellows are amongst the vast range to choose from.

Varieties

• ‘Profusion’ is a continuous-blooming variety with a range of lovely colours. They will handle cool and hot weather as well as high humidity. Excellent disease resistance. 25 x 38 cm.
• The ‘Zahara’ series has large flowers and good disease resistance. They have low water needs and are ideal for hot, dry conditions. 30 x 45 cm.
• ‘Double Zahara’ has all the attributes of ‘Zahara’ with bigger double flowers in bright colours. 40 x 50 cm.
• ‘Zesty’ has double flowers in vigorous plants with a mounding habit. Very good for containers. 46 x 61 cm.

Zinnias love

• Well-draining, rich soil and planted in warm weather.
• Watering frequently without waterlogging.
• Space for good air-circulation.
• Cutting for the vase and deadheading.
• Light fertilizing.

Fuschias

Fuchsias are prized for their elegant, pendulous blooms and thrive in cool, partially shaded spots with protection from harsh midday sun. They grow well in containers and hanging baskets, where the flowers can trail over the rims to show off their ballerina blooms.

Fuchsias love

• Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of added compost.
• Moist soil but not too soggy.
• Pinching back new shoots to encourage bushier growth.
• Regular feeding with a liquid fertilizer throughout the summer.
• Light fertilising.

Check out ‘Bella’ – This stunning range features fuchsias with girls’ names that bloom throughout the summer on compact, neat plants.

Polka Dot Plants

Hypoestes, commonly known as polka dot plants, make striking bedding plants with their colourful, speckled foliage. They can be potted up for indoor use or added to terrariums, but they also feature in garden borders planted under taller annuals to protect the leaves from scorching in full sun.

Varieties

• ‘Confetti’ comes in a range of colourful foliage that make excellent indoor plants and gifts. 10 x 15 cm.
• ‘Splash’ is a range of heat and shade-tolerant plants with a uniformly patterned foliage and a mounding, spreading habit. 10 x 36 cm.

Polka dot plants love

• Warm conditions and partial shade.
•  Well-draining, fertile soil.
• Consistently moist soil but not waterlogged.
• Regular pinching back of the growing tips to encourage a fuller, bushier shape and prevent the plants from becoming leggy.
• Feeding every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

Cupheas

Cupheas are described as low-maintenance and hardy, providing all-season colour. They are great for edging flower beds but also make excellent container plants. They attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to the garden.

Cupheas love

• Full sun but can tolerate light shade.
• Well-draining soil enriched with compost.
• Regular water to keep the soil lightly moist, especially during hot spells. Once established, they are fairly drought tolerant.
• Occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer.
• Light trimming to maintain a compact, bushy shape.

Varieties

• ‘Sweet Talk’ is a Cuphea procumbens with many brightly-coloured flowers that the bees and birds love for its rich nectar. 20 x 35 cm.
• ‘Pink Shimmer’ is a Cuphea ramosissima variety featuring shades of pink and purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer. A very pretty, petite plant that keeps its shimmer throughout the season and doesn’t require deadheading. 35 x 45 cm.

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