Even if the spring sunshine doesn’t make an appearance quite as often as we’d like, there is one sure-fire way to brighten up your garden, and that’s by planting plenty of spring bedding. Whether you’ve got a sprawling lawn with beautiful borders, or a bijou balcony, anyone can add a burst of colour to their outdoor space to enjoy all season (and the bees and butterflies will thank you too!)
Location, location, location
First up, choose the right spot for your bedding plants. The great thing is that even just a few strategically placed pots of plants can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your outdoor space.
Place pots, planters and containers by your back door or balcony window so you pass them regularly. Not only does this mean you can admire them as they grow, putting them somewhere highly visible has the added advantage of reminding you to water them regularly!
If your outdoor square footage is limited, look up! Wall shelves and plant theatres are a great way of adding vertical pillars of colour and drama. Hanging baskets and hanger pots are also clever ways of adding an array of colour without impinging on floor space.
What’s in season?
Who doesn’t love a trip to a local garden centre? They offer a huge range of choice and the staff are always on hand to give advice. Many even offer a free potting up service if you need a little help.
However, if you can’t make it along to a garden centre, you can often find a good selection of quality spring bedding plants are larger supermarkets.
Look out for the following fabulous flowers when you next do your grocery shopping:
- Pansies
- Marigolds
- Primroses
- Violas
- Fox gloves
- Bellis
- Cyclamen
- Ranunculi
- Senettis
Perfect potting up
The great thing about spring bedding is that it is relatively low maintenance and should see you right through summer. Here’s how to make sure it gets off to the best start:
- Ensure your pot, planter or container has drainage holes in the bottom, otherwise the plants will rot if they’re left standing in water. Drill a few holes in the bottom if there aren’t any, and place your pot on top of a few plant feet to raise it slightly off the ground to allow the water to drain through.
- Next, place some large stones or pieces of broken pots over the drainage holes to prevent them from getting blocked up with silt.
- Now fill up the pot with good quality compost.
- Carefully remove your summer bedding plants from their packaging and loosen the roots slightly.
- Create a hole, pop in the plant, back-fill and firm into place.
- Give them a good watering, and remember to water them regularly, especially when the weather warms up.
- Deadhead regularly to encourage the growth of new flowers.
Grow and flourish at Brio
Maybe it’s the idyllic landscaped setting, or the ever-changing variety of gardening workshops that make Brio the top choice for nature lovers.
Whether you’ve always had an appreciation for the great outdoors, or you’re looking to take up a new green-fingered hobby in your retirement years, Brio offers residents the opportunity to explore, discover and do.
To find out more about life at Brio or to book a viewing, head to our Contact Page.
Retirement is the time to do all those things you’ve been putting off.
Find all the inspiration you need to make positive lifestyle changes that last at one of our Integrated Retirement Community’s; Beechwood Park in the Cotswold’s, Button House in South London and Landale Court, close to Aberdeen.
Did you know Beechwood Park are taking part in this year's National Open Gardens Scheme on Sunday 3rd September 2023.
Why not take this opportunity to come along and take a walk through our beautiful gardens. More details can be found on the National Gardening Scheme website.