Design tips
While bedding plants are often chosen for their visual appeal, many also provide valuable food for pollinators. Violas, pansies and wallflowers can offer nectar and pollen during mild spells when bees and other insects are active. Winter bedding is generally low-maintenance, but a few simple steps will keep your displays looking their best: Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. Water sparingly – plants need less in winter, but don’t let them dry out completely. Protect from extreme cold – move pots to sheltered spots or cover with fleece during hard frosts. Feed in early spring with a balanced liquid fertiliser to encourage fresh growth and flowering. Caring for bedding plants through winter Winter bedding for wildlife To support wildlife: Choose single-flowered varieties over doubles. Avoid excessive use of pesticides. Combine bedding with pollinator-friendly perennials and shrubs. Layer your planting : Use taller plants at the back of borders or centre of pots, with lower-growing varieties around the edges. Add evergreen structure : Include small evergreen shrubs or grasses to provide year- round interest and contrast. Mix textures and heights : Combine upright plants like wallflowers with trailing options like ivy or trailing violas. Stick to a colour theme : Cool blues and purples for a calming effect, or warm reds and yellows for a bold winter statement.
1. Choose the right spot Most bedding plants prefer a sunny or lightly shaded position. Make sure the soil is well-drained – soggy roots are a common cause of failure in winter. 2. Prepare the soil Before planting, dig in some compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and drainage. In containers, use a quality peat-free compost mixed with a little grit for extra drainage. 3. Planting technique Space plants according to their mature size – usually around 15–20cm apart. Water in well after planting. Mulch around the base of plants to help insulate roots and retain moisture. 4. Container care In pots and baskets, ensure good drainage by adding crocks or gravel at the base. Raise containers off the ground using pot feet or bricks to prevent waterlogging. How to plant bedding for winter and spring
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