Double delights

Join Freddie to find out what’s new and trending in the world of bedding plants. These Flowering favourites are available this month at garden centres countrywide ready to be planted in your garden or in a pot. 

Dianthus

An ancient Greek botanist named the dianthus ‘divine flower’, and since then, these pretty pinks have been popular annuals in gardens worldwide. Their popularity is also due to their hardy, trouble-free, fragrant, and long-flowering characteristics. They are favourites of butterflies, bees, and birds. They also make excellent cut flowers, giving the home a spicy fragrance. They make good container plants for a pink splash. 

• Plant in full sun (they don’t like too much shade).  

• Soil should be well-draining and slightly acidic.   

• Water infrequently; they prefer the soil to be drier than other annuals.  

• Space well apart to give them good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. 

• Feed once a month with a general slow release fertiliser.  

• Deadhead the flowers to increase blooming. 

Look out for ‘Dash’, ‘Super Parfait’, ‘Diamond’, ‘Coronet’, ‘Diana’, ‘Ideal Select’ and ‘Chiba’ varieties. 

Tip

Dianthus is a good companion in the veggie garden with brinjals, potatoes, sweet peppers, and strawberries. The spicy flower scent will ward off bugs. 

Dahlias

In this case, we are referring to bedding dahlias, which are grown by seed and are not usually as tall and imposing as tuber dahlias. These dwarf varieties come in an impressive array of colours and bicolours, as well as semi and double flowers. They are great cut flowers for the home and are easy to grow and care for. 

• Plant in full sun. Some varieties, like ’Figaro’, will take some shade. 

• Give them enough space to grow (40 cm apart) to provide enough air circulation. Crowded plants are susceptible to powdery mildew.  

• Water frequently in the mornings.  

• Boost flowering with a potassium-rich fertiliser in spring every two weeks.  

• Pinch out the centre shoots to encourage bushiness.  

• Deadhead the flowers as they fade in colour, and they will continue flowering for months. 

Quick tip

This month, plant culinary sage Salvia officinalis in your flower beds. The grey leaves will contrast well with brightcoloured flowers like dianthus and dahlias. Plant in full sun and don’t water too much. Harvest regularly for use in the kitchen. 

Look out for ‘Garden Joy’, ‘Dalaya’ and ‘Figaro’ varieties. 

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