Bedding plants can be a wide range of different species, from annual, biennials and even short-lived perennials.
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‘Bedding plant’ is the name we give to any plants that are used for a short term display.
Usually we grow them for their colour and then as soon as the flowers finish we remove and discard them.
It seems that even our bedding plants have become a victim in this throw-away society.
The most well-known bedding plant display is the floral clock in St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
Bedding plants on display now include pansies, alyssum, dianthus, foxgloves, hollyhocks, polyanthus, primula, ageratum and violas.
If you want to grow your own seedlings for spring, think about buying seeds for impatiens, coleus, cosmos, marigolds, snapdragons, sunflowers, petunias and zinnias to name a few.
There are also many other beautiful plants you could try.
Bedding plant displays were popular a generation ago and a normal garden feature for many generations before that.
Colourful displays have now been replaced by water-wise gardens and low maintenance designs.
Bedding plants are high maintenance and can be extremely water consuming so take this into consideration before you spend time and money putting in a display.
Bedding plant displays are perfect for garden weddings.
Instant colour to match the wedding theme can be achieved easily.
Maybe you just want a change of colour in the garden, plant some seedlings or go all out and buy established ‘potted colour’ that is available at all local nurseries.
If you are thinking about selling your house, you can spruce up the garden and add a blaze of colour with bedding plants - nothing looks nicer than a beautiful garden.
If you think buying potted colour is too expensive, you are in luck.
Most of the bedding plants are what I call ‘self-perpetuating’, this means they produce masses of seed that falls into the garden bed and germinates.
Usually the removal of spent flowers is advised to keep the plants looking brilliant, but let a few flowers go to seed.
It’s best to collect and store the seed to use when needed.
So when you feel like adding a splash of colour to your garden, check out the seedling section at a local nurseries, there is such a range to choose from.
