Top five spring bedding plants
When spring finally arrives, the first thing we want to do is get out into and enjoy the outdoors again. The longer days and warmer weather beckon us to our gardens, and what better sight to behold than your space blooming in a cacophony of colour?
If you missed out on autumn planting then not to worry, we’ve put together our top five bedding plants that will add instant colour and charm to your garden.
What bedding plants are best for spring?
You can plant out your spring bedding plants once the worst of the winter weather has passed, around late March. Here’s our top five recommendations for creating a gorgeous display that will bridge the gap between spring and summer in your garden.
1. Primrose (Primula)
One of our favourite spring bedding plants, primroses are traditionally yellow, but also come in a stunning array of colours, from striking reds to pastel pinks and instantly bring joy to any corner of your garden.
Their heart-shaped petals make them instantly recognisable, and breath fresh life into gardens after a long winter. Associated with new beginnings, primroses are often regarded as a symbol of spring’s arrival.
Primroses are great pollinators and able to withstand most weather conditions, making them great additions to your outdoor space, whether you’re just starting out your gardening journey this year or you have an established green thumb.
How to look after your primrose:
The soil you plant your primrose in should be moist and well-drained to get the best results.
Primroses will grow in most soils, provided they are not too wet or dry, in sun or light shade.
Facts about primrose:
Primroses are pollinator-friendly, with their colourful hues attracting bees and other insects.
The name ‘primrose’ comes from the Latin word ‘primus’, which means ‘first’ - it earned this name for being one of the first flowers to bloom during spring!
2. Violas and Pansies
Violas (or violets) are popular in spring gardens thanks to their delicate, petite petals, and fragrant blooms.
Famous for their soft shades of purple and blue, Violas do also come in a variety of colours, from sunshine-yellow to snow-white, and often with interesting markings on their petals.
Cheery and bright, violas bring a bright splash of colour that lasts well into late spring – as do pansies, which are part of the viola family!
Pansies are larger in size with more showy flowers. They typically have a darker centre surrounding the nectar spur in the middle and look just as good in your spring borders.
How to look after Violas:
Violas like to spread and grow, so give them enough room to expand when you plant them.
Grow pansies and violas in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.
Water your Violas regularly and don’t let them dry out. Use your finger to check the soil – if it feels dry around 2-5cm in, then it’s time to water.
Facts about Violas:
Violas can help support a healthy ecosystem in your garden, as they attract pollinators such as bees.
Many violas are fragrant and add a pleasant aroma to your garden – sweet violet is a popular scent in perfumes.
Violas have represented many things throughout history – in ancient Greece, they were associated with love, and in the Victorian era, they represented faithfulness and devotion.
3. Forget-me-nots (Myosotis)
Forget-me-nots are charming flowers that add a delicate charm to bedding and borders in gardens. They typically have bright blue flowers with white and yellow centres, which work great when filling gaps, but also bring their own character to your outdoor space.
They can grow up to 30cm tall, making forget-me-nots a great backdrop for other tall flowers if you’re wanting to mix and match your bedding plants.
How to look after forget-me-nots:
Plant in well-drained soil in the sun, or in partial shade. You can even use them to compliment other bedding plants that also grow well in partial shade.
Forget-me-nots self-seed, so if you don’t want them to spread, you’ll need to pull up the plant or deadhead after they’ve flowered.
You can use these beautiful biennials to under-plant spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips or daffodils.
Facts about forget-me-nots:
Often forget-me-nots symbolise true love and fond memories – why not grow your own bouquet and gift to someone you don’t want to forget?
Myosotis means ‘mouse’s ear’ in Latin, which refers to the shape of the forget-me-not's petals.
Different coloured forget-me-nots represent different meanings – blue refers to loyalty, pink symbolises care and nurturing, and white convey purity.
4. Garden Pinks (Dianthus)
Dianthus, also known as ‘garden pinks’ have charming, ruffled blooms that come in various, delicate colours. They start blooming in late spring, through into early summer and are great for beginner gardeners as they’re relatively easy to grow.
Dianthus look great in borders and can be used in pots and containers – but it’s important not to overcrowd them with taller plants that compete for sunlight and nutrients.
How to look after Garden Pinks:
Plant your pinks in well-drained soil or compost and in a spot where they can enjoy full sun.
Deadhead any spent blooms and feed with a high potash fertiliser to encourage a second flush of flowers.
Facts about Garden Pinks:
These plants get their name from the serrated petal edges which look as if they’ve been trimmed with pinking shears.
Dianthus means ‘flower of the gods’ in Greek.
5. Bellis daisies
Known for their unique petal pattern and texture, Bellis daisies are a charming addition to any spring garden.
These cheerful spring plants provide a season’s worth of colour in delicate shades of pink, red, and white, with their pom-pom like double flowers and spoon-shaped leaves.
They’re incredibly versatile and often used to underplant bulbs. The flower heads are always searching for sunlight, so be sure to place them somewhere with full or partial sun!
Looking after English daisies:
Plant your flowers in well-draining and nutrient-rich moist soil.
Check your plants regularly and ensure they’re not dried out – you can use your finger to check soil moisture levels.
If using fertiliser, opt for one that is slow-releasing and use more so in spring as they’re establishing.
Facts about English daisies:
Daisies are said to get their name from the old English saying, ‘day’s eye’, as they tend to close their petals at night and bloom again in the morning.
The daisy is the national flower of the Netherlands.
What bedding plants should you choose?
The type of bedding plants you choose depend entirely on how you want your garden to look – you could choose only one type of plant for a uniform look or mix and match different types for more colour and texture in your outdoor space. You can also read our handy guide on choosing the best bedding plants for your garden here.
The best way to choose your plants is to stop by your local Dobbies and take a look at each plant type in person – plus you can always chat to our Green Team who are happy to help you pick, as well as answer any questions you might have.
You can find everything you need to get your lawn looking lush at Dobbies, and our Green Team are always on hand to answer any questions you have.