Bedding and beyond - Annuals For Impact
I am amazed by how many people live in our fine yet diminutive city of Brighton in England. This has repercussions for us townie gardeners, who must be ready to grow in any available space, be it wonky windowsill or pokey patio.
Planters and Planting
Once we had little choice beyond planting in dodgy old moulded plastic - now we have all manner of terracotta pots, wooden barrels and hanging contraptions to choose from. Substantial planters made of wood or Terracotta look classier - and help keep compost cool, making for healthy roots and less watering.
I prefer using a soil-based compost, which retains both moisture and nutrients, and is easier to re-wet. When filling planters improve drainage with a shallow layer of gravel or broken polystyrene in the bottom of the pot, and never fill the pot to the very top. Mixing slow release fertilizer tablets into compost will also ensure a steady flow of nutrients for flowers throughout the summer.
When positioning pots try grouping in huddles of three or five, and use pots of different sizes - it looks more natural.
A Few Good Annuals
For instant impact you cannot beat annuals, most of which grow fast and produce an endless stream of summer blossom. You should be thinking about planting annuals about now as frosts have finally passed.
When choosing annuals beware of the explosion in the paint factory syndrome. A good rule is to imagine your choosing something to wear when buying your bedding plants - do you really want a pink blouse with that purple jump suite? - no! - Think classic combinations or shades of one or more colours.
For shady areas go for Impatiens, Nicotiana, Myosotis and Mimulus. In full sun silver and golden Helichrysums and Senecio will flourish, as will many trailing plants such as Lobelia, Nasturtium and Petunia (the sophinia range come strongly recommended - none of which clash or produce anything to garish colour wise).
Other trusted favourites include marigolds and Begonia; alternatively go cottage garden with plants such as Eschscholzia, Toadflax, Iceland poppy and Verbena.
If you want to cover walls climbers such as sweet pea and Morning glory can climb over trellis in no time.
Come autumn annuals will start to die, preferring to live fast and die young - which means if you do get it wrong you can learn form your mistakes and put things right next year.
I am amazed by how many people live in our fine yet diminutive city of Brighton in England. This has repercussions for us townie gardeners, who must be ready to grow in any available space, be it wonky windowsill or pokey patio.
Planters and Planting
Once we had little choice beyond planting in dodgy old moulded plastic - now we have all manner of terracotta pots, wooden barrels and hanging contraptions to choose from. Substantial planters made of wood or Terracotta look classier - and help keep compost cool, making for healthy roots and less watering.
I prefer using a soil-based compost, which retains both moisture and nutrients, and is easier to re-wet. When filling planters improve drainage with a shallow layer of gravel or broken polystyrene in the bottom of the pot, and never fill the pot to the very top. Mixing slow release fertilizer tablets into compost will also ensure a steady flow of nutrients for flowers throughout the summer.
When positioning pots try grouping in huddles of three or five, and use pots of different sizes - it looks more natural.
A Few Good Annuals
For instant impact you cannot beat annuals, most of which grow fast and produce an endless stream of summer blossom. You should be thinking about planting annuals about now as frosts have finally passed.
When choosing annuals beware of the explosion in the paint factory syndrome. A good rule is to imagine your choosing something to wear when buying your bedding plants - do you really want a pink blouse with that purple jump suite? - no! - Think classic combinations or shades of one or more colours.
For shady areas go for Impatiens, Nicotiana, Myosotis and Mimulus. In full sun silver and golden Helichrysums and Senecio will flourish, as will many trailing plants such as Lobelia, Nasturtium and Petunia (the sophinia range come strongly recommended - none of which clash or produce anything to garish colour wise).
Other trusted favourites include marigolds and Begonia; alternatively go cottage garden with plants such as Eschscholzia, Toadflax, Iceland poppy and Verbena.
If you want to cover walls climbers such as sweet pea and Morning glory can climb over trellis in no time.
Come autumn annuals will start to die, preferring to live fast and die young - which means if you do get it wrong you can learn form your mistakes and put things right next year.