Buck the trend for hot sizzling summer colours and opt for
cool pastels instead.
Osteospermum
There are lots of little osteospermums in garden centres
and nurseries in the summer months of May June and heaps of
colour choice.I like them because they flower well into
autumn and if we have a mild winter they should survive.
Marguerite
I use alot of marguerites in my planting arrangements
because of there cottage garden looks.They flower well into
autumn but are not as hardy as osteospermums.They have a
great variety of colours to choose from to compliment the
other flowers in your pot.
Petunia
You can get some pale colours in petunias such as pale pink
in the Surfinia series which is a very popular series that
can be found in most garden centres.Also Mr Fothergill's
catalogue has a new series called Fanfare with a lovely
pale pink flower called Appleblossom.
Nicotiana
Each year I sow nicotiana seed but only single colours so I
can co-ordinate my colour schemes.At this time of year May
June look out for good sized plants at the garden centres.
How to Plant Your pastels for Summer Pot
1. Drainage is really important in pots so start by lining
the bottom with a number of broken crocks, or use pieces of
broken up polystyrene.Then fill a third of the pot with
container or multi purpose compost, breaking down any large
lumps with your fingers as you work.
2. Because the marguerites, osteospermum and nicotiana all
grow to about the same height, plant these towards the back
of the pot.Depending on the size of your pot ,you might
only need one of each plant.Place the petunias around the
edge at the front and then firm everything in with more
compost.
3. Now give the pot a good soak.Make sure you keep it well
watered throughout the summer, especially over the first
couple of weeks as the plants establish.To make sure you
get the best blooms feed fortnightly with a liquid feed.Do
not forget to deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming.
More Pretty Pastels
Geranium
Geraniums are so versatile and there are dozens of
different colours available.Many people only consider the
gaudy reds and oranges, but the softer pinks are
lovely.They can be tricky from seed so try taking cuttings
or buy plug plants.
Diascia
Diascias have a long flowering period and if you can cut
them back after the first flush of flowers, they should
give you a repeat performance.They have become quite
popular so they are widely available as young plants in
lots of different colours.
Nemesia
Nemesia ia a cheap and cheerful filler often used to plug
gaps in borders, but its also great in pots.It can flower
from summer to christmas and is a spectacular sight.Look
out for pale apricot and lemon colours.
----------------------------------------------------
Want to find that pefect Garden Container Planter or Pot
for your planting arrangements then visit
http://www.mygardencenteronline.com .
Also while your there why not checkout our full range of
plants and seeds.
cool pastels instead.
Osteospermum
There are lots of little osteospermums in garden centres
and nurseries in the summer months of May June and heaps of
colour choice.I like them because they flower well into
autumn and if we have a mild winter they should survive.
Marguerite
I use alot of marguerites in my planting arrangements
because of there cottage garden looks.They flower well into
autumn but are not as hardy as osteospermums.They have a
great variety of colours to choose from to compliment the
other flowers in your pot.
Petunia
You can get some pale colours in petunias such as pale pink
in the Surfinia series which is a very popular series that
can be found in most garden centres.Also Mr Fothergill's
catalogue has a new series called Fanfare with a lovely
pale pink flower called Appleblossom.
Nicotiana
Each year I sow nicotiana seed but only single colours so I
can co-ordinate my colour schemes.At this time of year May
June look out for good sized plants at the garden centres.
How to Plant Your pastels for Summer Pot
1. Drainage is really important in pots so start by lining
the bottom with a number of broken crocks, or use pieces of
broken up polystyrene.Then fill a third of the pot with
container or multi purpose compost, breaking down any large
lumps with your fingers as you work.
2. Because the marguerites, osteospermum and nicotiana all
grow to about the same height, plant these towards the back
of the pot.Depending on the size of your pot ,you might
only need one of each plant.Place the petunias around the
edge at the front and then firm everything in with more
compost.
3. Now give the pot a good soak.Make sure you keep it well
watered throughout the summer, especially over the first
couple of weeks as the plants establish.To make sure you
get the best blooms feed fortnightly with a liquid feed.Do
not forget to deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming.
More Pretty Pastels
Geranium
Geraniums are so versatile and there are dozens of
different colours available.Many people only consider the
gaudy reds and oranges, but the softer pinks are
lovely.They can be tricky from seed so try taking cuttings
or buy plug plants.
Diascia
Diascias have a long flowering period and if you can cut
them back after the first flush of flowers, they should
give you a repeat performance.They have become quite
popular so they are widely available as young plants in
lots of different colours.
Nemesia
Nemesia ia a cheap and cheerful filler often used to plug
gaps in borders, but its also great in pots.It can flower
from summer to christmas and is a spectacular sight.Look
out for pale apricot and lemon colours.
----------------------------------------------------
Want to find that pefect Garden Container Planter or Pot
for your planting arrangements then visit
http://www.mygardencenteronline.com .
Also while your there why not checkout our full range of
plants and seeds.
