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Formal Bedding Scheme
fliprollsw
Posts: 35
in Plants
Evening all,
Relatively new gardener and loved it last year. I know that formal borders of summer bedding plants are slightly out of fashion but still often seen. I plant to have a long border and another few smaller borders in my garden next year laid out.
Relatively new gardener and loved it last year. I know that formal borders of summer bedding plants are slightly out of fashion but still often seen. I plant to have a long border and another few smaller borders in my garden next year laid out.
I have sent away to Sutton’s for some seed packets as last year I did a mix of seed and plug plants.
Have sent away for French and African Marigolds, Fibrous Begonias, Lobelia, Alyssum, Red Salvia, Calendulas.
I also will purchase some Cannas/Tuberous Begonias/Love Lies Bleeding as “dot plants”, and petunia plugs to fill baskets/tubs.
Two more unusual varieties of seed I have sent away for are Heliotrope (an old bedding favourite), and Black Eyed Susie - a climber. Has anyone had success with these two?
Back to my main question, does anyone have tips for layouts/colours which go well together or even better - photos of your own formal borders.
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One of my favourite combinations is bedding begonias with silver leaved cineraria. I don't think cineraria is on your list but it can act as a "break" plant to give your eyes a rest from all the colours.
You could also use the smaller types of phormium to give height if you needed any more.
I'm assuming your borders get a fair amount of sunshine as generally speaking that's what bedding plants like. Another thing to consider is whether they can be viewed from both sides, or just one (ie with a fence or hedge at the back).
Are you planning on something such as a rainbow design or just going to go all out and mix it up ?
I don't know how many forum members do what would be classed as formal bedding.
Personally I try and do a fairly formal scheme in my front garden but usually only using two or 3 varieties of the same plant such as cosmos or bedding geraniums (pelargoniums). At the moment it's filled with wallflowers that hopefully will be "in yer face" orange come the Spring and the Summer plan is dwarf sunflowers 🤞.
There are people on this site with really good eye for colour who l'm sure will be able to help you.
I wish you luck with it, it sounds like it's going to be fantastic 🙂.
It far easier to work off just the colour and don't think about the plant . I prefer clashing colours so something like blue & Orange = Blue lobelia & marigold could add magneta coloured busy lizzie or petunia to the mix. Alyssum and lobelia or commonly used together mainly for the front of a border .
You've got a few slug magnets in your list so you'll have to keep an eye out for them . I didn't like sunflower teddy bear bit of a none event I prefer the bigger ones .
The sunflowers l'm hoping to grow are a variety called "Soleil". I prefer the open flower types to a variety like "Teddy Bear" as l want to attract bees. I still haven't decided whether to have just those on their own, or mix things up a bit.
As @Perki says, you need to keep an eye out for slugs and snails. They can cause havoc with certain varieties.
One of the best formal bedding displays l have seen was at The Quarry Park in Shrewsbury, a search for that may give you some ideas, also Waddesdon Manor is famous for its bedding displays.
Here are some photos of bedding plants in public gardens.
The Quarry Park in Shrewsbury, originally planted by Percy Thrower
Stratford on Avon
Bury Saint Edmunds
I took the photo a few years ago in July.