Summer bedding plants provide instant colour, reliable performance, and strong visual appeal from late spring right through to the first frosts. Whether used in hanging baskets, patio containers, or garden borders, they are a quick way to transform outdoor spaces with maximum impact and relatively low effort.

What are Summer Bedding Plants?

Summer bedding plants are fast-growing, short-term ornamental plants raised specifically to be planted out in late spring and enjoyed throughout summer.

You’ll find them in the glasshouse, usually sold in small pots or cell trays, ready to deliver continuous colour over a single season and fill gaps quickly in borders and containers.

Where to use Summer Bedding Plants?

One of the biggest advantages of summer bedding is how flexible it is, they can be used almost anywhere outdoors, provided the right plant is matched to the right position.

Bedding plants are ideal for filling empty spaces in mixed borders or creating dedicated colour-themed beds. Mass planting works best here, using blocks of the same plant for bold visual impact.

Patio Containers and Hanging Baskets

Summer bedding plants are wonderfully versatile and can be rearranged in pots and containers throughout the season. They’re perfect for experimenting with colour combinations, giving you the freedom to refresh your displays whenever you like. Easy to move, they can be positioned to follow the sun, brighten sparse areas, or create an inviting focal point by the front door.

They’re also ideal for designing your own hanging baskets, try adding trailing varieties to create beautiful cascading displays that soften walls, fences, and entrances. We have a step by step video guide (link at the bottom of this page) where you can follow along and create your own summer hanging basket.

For smaller spaces, summer bedding is an excellent choice. Window boxes in particular, allow you to enjoy their vibrant colours at eye level, making them especially suited to compact gardens or flats.

Shaded Areas

Shady spots don’t have to feel dull or lifeless in fact, they can be some of the most striking areas of a garden with the right planting. Varieties such as begonias and impatiens (Busy Lizzies) thrive in lower light, producing vibrant blooms that lift darker corners with ease.

To add even more interest, combine flowering plants with foliage favourites like ivy or coleus. These leafy companions introduce rich textures and contrasting colours, helping to create depth and visual appeal where flowering options may be more limited.

With a thoughtful mix of blooms and foliage, shaded areas can become lush, colourful features that feel just as full and inviting as sunnier parts of the garden.

Our Favourites

Certain bedding plants remain consistently popular thanks to their reliability, wide range of colours, and ease of care. These tried-and-tested varieties are dependable choices for both new and experienced gardeners, performing well across a variety of settings from containers to borders.

Pelargoniums
A long-standing favourite, for their drought tolerance and strong, continuous flowering. Their bold blooms and structured growth make them ideal for both containers and bedding displays, particularly in sunny positions where they thrive with minimal fuss.

Nemesia

A fragrant and versatile bedding plant showcasing a profusion of small, brightly coloured flowers, in shades of pink, purple, white, yellow, and orange.  They are perfect for adding a soft, cottage-garden feel to borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

Petunias
Loved for their vibrant colour palette and prolific flowering, petunias are perfect for creating eye-catching displays. Their trailing varieties are especially effective in hanging baskets and large patio pots, where they can spill over the edges and create a soft, cascading effect throughout the summer.

Begonias
Exceptionally versatile and highly weather resistant, begonias are a reliable choice for almost any garden. They flower consistently in both sun and shade, making them particularly useful for tricky areas, and their low-maintenance nature makes them ideal for gardeners looking for impact with minimal effort.

Lobelia
Lobelia offers delicate, fine-textured flowers that bring a softer touch to planting schemes. Often used as a filler or trailing plant in mixed arrangements, it works beautifully to knit together displays, adding depth and contrast without overpowering other plants.

Marigolds
Bright, bold, and incredibly easy to grow, marigolds are a staple in summer bedding. Their cheerful blooms add warmth to borders and containers, and they are also valued in vegetable gardens for companion planting, helping to deter certain pests naturally.

Busy Lizzies

One of the best choices for shaded areas, Busy Lizzies provide continuous colour even in lower light conditions. Their compact growth and low maintenance requirements make them perfect for filling beds, borders, and containers where other flowering plants may struggle.

Bacopa
A charming trailing plant, bacopa produces masses of small white or pastel flowers that gently spill over the edges of baskets and containers. It pairs beautifully with bolder plants, softening displays and adding a light, airy feel.

 For more inspiration, follow our step-by-step video guide on creating your own summer hanging basket!

There’s nothing quite like a blooming hanging basket to bring instant cheer to your porch, patio, or balcony during the summer. Overflowing with colour, texture, and lush greenery, these little garden gems are easier to put together than you might think. Click here to start creating your own gorgeous summer hanging basket.

Planting and Care

When planting, it’s important to wait until the risk of frost has fully passed, as young plants are particularly vulnerable to cold conditions. Before placing plants in the ground or a container, gently loosen the root balls to help roots establish more easily in their new environment. Once planted, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. If you’re using containers, choose a good-quality compost to provide the nutrients and structure plants need for healthy growth.

Watering

Watering should be done deeply rather than in small, frequent amounts, as this encourages stronger root development. Plants grown in containers often require more attention, especially during hot weather when they may need daily watering. Hanging baskets are even more prone to drying out and can require watering twice a day during particularly warm periods.

Maintenance

Regular deadheading and general maintenance will help keep plants looking their best. Removing faded flowers encourages the plant to produce new flowers, extending the blooming period. If growth becomes leggy during the season, a light trim can help restore a more compact shape.

Finally, keep an eye out for common pests and problems. Aphids are often attracted to soft new growth, so check plants regularly. Good air circulation is important to help prevent issues such as mildew, particularly in crowded or sheltered areas. When growing in containers, take care to avoid waterlogging, as overly wet conditions can lead to root problems.