Bedding for now and later

Revitalise last year's plants and sow new ones, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

Your Gardening Week with AG's gardening expert Ruth Hayes

WHILE I have been making space in beds and containers for this year’s summer bedding, my thoughts have been turning to border fillers for the latter part of the year.

Early summer is a good time to start your winter and spring bedding plants, because it gives them enough time to grow well so they are ready to go into the garden in autumn, when the soil will still be holding onto its summer warmth but will be dampened by rain.

If you sow hardy perennials such as pansies and violas now they may be ready to flower this winter before going dormant and harnessing their reserves for next spring.

Fluffy Bellis daisies, along with wallflowers and sweet williams are biennials and won’t flower until next year.

Top Tip

Pansies, primulas and violas are perennials and can be planted into the garden to make room in containers