Our Best Summer Bedding Plants to Grow from Seed

Easiest Summer Bedding Plants to Grow from Seed

It comes down to personal taste. I do grow calendula seeds and marigold seeds but as companion plants amongst my vegetables, to attract pollinators (calendulas) and ward off blackfly (marigolds) as well as providing a splash of summer colour. I sow annuals amongst my shrubs for bursts of colour, cut flowers and to attract and feed the butterflies and moths; again nicotiana and cosmos are easy from seed. My daughter’s annual favourites are antirrhinum seeds better known to children as snapdragons.  

Choosing Long Lasting Annuals Suitable for Cut Flowers

The Daisy family provides our favourite garden flowers from the humble lawn daisy to the more exuberant blooms for cut flower bouquets. Most are easy to grow from seeds and give long lasting colour throughout summer months. Rudbeckia are easy to care for with long straight stems suitable for cutting. Zinnias are the longest flowering, the simpler dahlia forms preferred by pollinators. Tithonia has bright orange flowers with the ability to tolerate heat and drought, in full sun, whilst attracting butterflies. 

Classic Choices for Summer Bedding Plants

The more classic selections for bedding plants of geraniums (pelargoniums), petunias, begonias and busy lizzie take a little more care and attention to germinate from seed. Many varieties are pelleted seed to make sowing easier for the amateur gardener.

A previous blog by Sue gives some more detailed information on the different types and varieties as well as tips on sowing and growing geraniums, petunias and begonias from seed https://justseed.com/blogs/news/pelargonium-or-geranium-begonias-and-petunias?_pos=1&_sid=ed75b4e99&_ss=r

Bored with the Usual Summer Annuals?

Something a little different could be lisianthus Eustoma grandifolium     a dwarf plant with a big display. Plant out in groups of 5 for colourful impact. Or daisy-like Arctotis Harlequin seeds for a bright range of colours over cut grey-green foliage.  The bold flowers grow on long stems and tend to close up in dull weather. Single flowered dahlia Bishop’s Children has striking foliage with blooms suitable for cutting or equally left for the pollinators.

Borders Feeling Edgy?

To fill in the edges coleus are a perfect addition for the garden with their varied foliage. A versatile plant they come in a large range of colours and sizes. Or begonia heaven series is a quality green leaf variety that comes in a range of wonderful colours to underpin the display. For cool tones, bedding lobelia from seed is the classic infill, covering the ground with a carpet of colour.

Whether you choose warm sunny tones or cool waves of colour, there are many varieties to choose from to suit your mood.