Colour arrangement for bedding plants

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32720, 24 September 1971, Page 11

Colour arrangement for bedding plants

■The brightest and most de corative display of plants fo the garden is undoubted!] provided by the annual bor der. The addition of sonu biennials and perennials cai promote additional interest but it is possible to do ver well without them. The very best of these dis plays always attract attentior and very often there is t keen desire to do the same in one’s own garden. How. ever, be warned: to achieve an outstanding bedding scheme requires a combination of imagination or artistic flair and a good knowledge of the habits of growth, colour, height and season oi flowering, of these plants. Initially, it is most helpful if a scale plan is drawn up of the proposed planting area. This should then be divided up into several reasonably large but not uniform or straight edged sectors. To provide a good showing of plants from each sector a minimum area of one-and-a-half square yards should be allotted to each division. Tall to the back Tall plants should generally be kept to the back of the border and should also be given more room than the smallest, ranked in front. The next step is to work out a colour scheme for the various segments. A colour wheel may be helpful in, associating the most suitable combinations, but be careful not to include too many blends as this outcome can be rather like choosing a paint by looking at it in the tin—a disappointment. Don’t overlook the value of foliage in the over-all effect as this can be a major influence on the Anal appearance .of the whole bed. Their use, either singly or in groups, can be used to tone down harsh colours or to accentuate weak ones.

When deciding on choice of plants, remember that most annuals, flower for longer than most of the hardy herbaceous perennials. For this reason “gapping up” is not a consideration providing the planning is adequately done. There are several annuals which may, in fact, be used to advantage in the herbaceous border, to provide a pleasing mass of colour for a long period, and to fill a gap left by some early flowering plants. Catalogues can prove of immense help in formulating a suitable range of plants which can be accommodated in the bedding scheme to give a prolonged display. Good drainage and the incorporation of some organic matter into the soil will help to promote the best development of these plants. Full sun and protection from strong winds is also most desirable.

Some time before sowing or’, planting out, add blood and bone and give a light forking. With the aid of a stick or

a trail of lime, mark out the various sections on the bed, as drawn up on your plan. These can be labelled for quick identification when planting or sowing seed. Seeds or plants

Whether to sow seed or buy the plants depends on requirements and time available. There is an exceptionally wide range of seed available from both local nurseries and specialist seedsmen and generally a good selection of plants most of the time. There are definite advantages either way. Hardy and half-hardy annuals can be sown now. Hardy annuals are those which may be sown where they are to flower and the seedlings thinned to appropriate spacings as soon as the second pair of .true leaves appear.

Half-hardy annuals are unable to withstand frost and are best raised under glass and then transplanted when sufficiently hardened off. Fine seed requires only a very light covering of soil. Larger seed can be sown more deeply. Slugs, snails and caterpillars can quickly cause much damage to young plants. Therefore appropriate safeguards of bait and carbaryl, D.D.T. or lindane should be used in good time. Thinnings of seedlings should not be neglected as crowding will cause spindly plants to develop. Careful reduction of seedlings will avoid damage to those which remain and also enable thinnings to be used elsewhere. The taller plants in the bedding scheme will benefit from support and birch or broom branches are ideal for the purpose. These should be put in position well before the plants require them, early placement having the advantage in that they will be completely smothered by the annuals later on thus giving support without being noticeable. Weeding, watering and general attention are necessary until all plants are firmly established. Thereafter routine maintenance is all that should be required. An example of an annual

bedding scheme is provided. Not all the plants are annuals but are treated as such for the purpose of this layout It is suggested that all but the following could be sown direct. They can be planted when the danger of frost has receded: lobelia, petunia, salvia, tithonia and zinnia. Single plants of ornamental com can be planted towards the back of the border together with a few plants of kochia, spaced out at intervals, further forward. These will act as “dot” plants. They will also give height and offer a few focal points to the border.

Key to diagram (flower col-

our in brackets): 1, cosmos “Sensation” (pink); 2, gypsophila Covent Garden (white); 3, larkspur (blue shades); 4, helichrysum tetra (mixed); 5, tithonia torch (orange-red); 6, zinnia (red); 7, Euphorbia marginata; 8, salvia bonfire (red); 9, stock (white); 10, petunia blue bedder; 11, African marigold (yellow); 12, Nigella Miss Jekyll (blue); 13, phlox, Twinkle (mixed); 14, ageratum tetra (blue); 15, Centaurea Candidissima; 16, linaria Fairy Bouquet; 17, French marigold Petit (gold); 18, lobelia Crystal (deep blue); 19, tagetes lulu (yellow); 20, alyssum Snowcloth (white).