As spring is on the horizon, now is the right time to begin planting your spring bedding plants as the temperature gradually increases. As the birds start to sing and the day lengths gradually get longer, the only thing missing is a few colourful plants to add to the season. Fortunately, this article will show you the ten best spring bedding plants you should plant in your garden to give a full resurgence of energy and colours that you need as we progress from winter into spring and finally the summer.
We will explore the following:
Best Spring Bedding Plants
Simply put, spring bedding plants are plants that you can sow and bed in the spring. The best time to plant them is during late February, just before spring begins, and the gradual increase in temperature and sunlight, as well as consistent watering, will aid these plants in their growth. The ones listed are traditional smaller plants and, therefore, will be easier to grow, even if the weather is, at times, unpredictable.
1 Bellis
Let’s begin with an unusual colouring for a spring plant, Bellis. These are a fan favourite amongst florists and gardeners due to their lion’s mane petals and beautiful, soft pink colouring.
Although not as bombastic as other spring bedding plants on this list, they are nonetheless essential to include in your spring bedding. They even have a bit of charm from their small, delicate appearance.
2 Cyclamen
Another spring bedding plant that needs more recognition is the Cyclamen. These also have a delicate appearance like the Bellis and will improve the spiciness of your garden bedding if that is the vibe you are aiming for.
Cyclamen is also long-lasting, so this is worth noting if you want your spring bedding plants to last longer than just in the spring. They are also great alongside ferns, moss, and other natural greenery.
3 Miniature Daffodils
Daffodils are iconic spring flowers, so you want to add them to your spring bedding. The best conditions to get daffodils are when they are in their miniature cycle, since they are early bloomers and will likely sprout at the first sign of sunshine.
Daffodils are perfect for spring bedding, even in plant pots, hanging baskets, and even window boxes. Your spring garden would be incomplete without a few daffodils scattered about.
Find out more interesting facts about daffodils here.
4 Foxgloves
Foxgloves are an exciting choice to include on this list. They flower at the end of late spring and will last across the summer. If you do not mind a late addition to the party, then foxgloves are a good choice to add to your spring bedding plants.
As well as being a pinkish purple like other plants on this list, foxgloves are recognised for their bell-shaped flower heads. They can be poisonous for certain house animals, though, so you should avoid this one if you have cats or dogs. However, they are great for pollen and will often flower separate seeds that will grow in the following year.
5 Hyacinth
Also known as grape hyacinth, this is a nice plant to add to your spring bedding that will flower mid-Spring. As these are small and versatile growers, it is best to plant hyacinths at the front of your bedding but they should be monitored as they can spread quickly.
Find out what Winter Garden Plants are best for your garden.
6 Heather
Heather is perfect for adding to your spring bedding collection for various reasons. They are great pollinators, so your Heathers will be very popular amongst the bees and are tolerant to the elements, including neutral to alkaline soil.
For better results, plant heather in separate pots so that you can decorate them around various places in your garden, and they will last from the start of December to the end of April.
7 Hellebores
Another spring bedding plant that will last through the winter is hellebores, which will grace your garden with a wide range of colours from white, pink, yellow, and dark purple. A Christmas rose is a relative to hellebores, as well as hellebores higher and other hellebore hybrids.
There is so much variety with hellebores that you have to add at least one to the rest of your spring bedding plants. You cannot go wrong here, with the hellebores growing to a steady growth range of 45cm with its height and spread. Make sure to keep track of your plant lawn care too.
8 Bearded and Reticulate Iris
The bearded and reticulate Iris is more delicate compared to the rest of the plants on this list. It is commonly recognised for its mix of purple flowers with yellow markings.
Reticulate Iris
The reticulate iris prefers average temperatures and will grow throughout January to April. These small growers will only have a height and spread of 15cm x 15cm.
Bearded Iris
The bearded Iris prefers warmer and sunnier temperatures and will flower from May to June. These are slightly larger grows than the Reticulate, and their height and spread will be from 90cm x 10cm.
9 Pasque flower
Bringing more exotic colourings to the spring bedding family is the Pasque flower, often symbolised with Easter due to it being a late-spring sprouting flower.
Create more character in your spring bedding with the star-shaped flowers of the Pasque, and they will flourish most in April and May.
10 Violas
Last on this list, and perhaps the most popular alongside pansies, is violas.
Violas are quite small, so they will fit well in any form of bedding, whether it is garden beds, borders, baskets, or more.
Spring your Bedding into Action
All of these plants included in this blog will add something new to your spring bedding. They also have a specific colour that will make your garden more unique and interesting, particularly the ones that are purple, white, and yellow.
Bees and other insects will be flocking to your spring bedding plants to seek their pollen, and this will tell you that you have done a job well, thanks to the information laid out before you!
Sources
Ryan Jenkins is a professional gardener and has been working in the gardening industry for over 25 years. This has allowed Ryan to accumulate a vast wealth of gardening knowledge which he shares on the Sefton Meadows blog.