Search - Articles

More gardeners choose pansies and violas as their favourite bedding plant than any other flower.These brightly coloured flowers with their cheerful faces brave the very worst of our weather to put on displays during winter and spring, and voting

Cosmos was one of the first bedding plants I ever grew from seed, and still remains a favourite. It provides height to displays with an airiness few other plants can match. Tall stems carry fine, feathery foliage, each topped with simple, brightly

to everyone.For me it's the single colours that appeal. Bedding plant producers tell me that at retail it's always packs of colour mixtures that sell best, but I always avoid these. OK, so I must be an exception, but thankfully the seed companies cater to my

certainly flourished. It also provides support for a Clematis viticella planted alongside, and I loosely train new shoots up the camellia as they grow.Next come two camellias growing in raised beds in a shaded position. I built low brick walls to create

.Chrysanthemums are cheap, cheerful, and wonderful plants. Just when you've given up on the garden, with summer bedding displays coming to an abrupt end, along come chrysanths to provide the colourful punctuation every garden needs.I mostly use them in pots, pulling out

have to consider switching to alternative bedding plants. Clearly this also worries the plant breeders and growers who make a living out of developing and raising busy Lizzies.At present it appears that impatiens downy mildew only infects varieties

I'm always looking for plants that make an impact - things that will grab the attention and put on a good show. Seasonal bedding and bulbs are always popular, but many shrubs also grow well in patio pots.Over the years I've tried all sorts, from

I can't be the only one looking for foolproof plants to brighten the patio during summer, but it's always nice to try something a little different too.Traditional summer bedding has its place, but it does demand regular attention.Daily watering

when I pass, and thankfully don't need the regular doses that most summer bedding plants demand. Temporary displays like this are fun to create, and can be moved around at a moment's notice to ring the changes. There's nothing permanent here

horticulture. The soil in about eight beds was chemically manipulated by adding lime to make it more alkaline or sulphur to make it more acid, and a hydrangea grown in each. As they came into bloom during July you could see the colour transition down the row