Summer annuals planting tips
- For the most effective display, position plants in groups., and group according to colour and height.
- When sowing or planting summer annuals it is important to group plants with similar light and water requirements together.
- Plant the tallest varieties at the back, medium-height in the middle and the lowest at the front.
- When growing annuals in containers consider planting low-growing or those with a trailing habit like cascade petunias for sunny spots or petunias for shady positions.
- To brighten up perennial borders, plant annuals in the spaces between the permanent plants.
Preparation is key
- Before sowing, start preparing the beds by removing old plants left from the previous season.
- Dig over garden beds, add a generous dressing of compost, and scatter a light dressing of bone meal (high in phosphorous to help flower formation).
- Just before sowing seeds or planting seedlings, rake the soil to obtain a crumbly, easily worked surface.
- If you’re planting in containers or hanging baskets, use potting soil that drains well and retains moisture.
- Water seedlings well before planting out.
Time to plant!
- Seeds can either be scattered over the whole area or sown in grooves.
- When considering the distance between the grooves, keep in mind the size and height of the plants at maturity. Usually, this information can be found on the seed packet.
- After sowing seeds in grooves or scattering across the bed, lightly cover them with soil by raking along the length of the grooves.
- Firm down the soil with the flat side of a rake, ensure most seeds are covered and protected from the sun.
- Plant out seedlings on a cool overcast day, or early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun is less harsh.
- When removing seedlings from their trays, do not pull the leaves or stems, rather push out the root ball from the bottom of the seedling tray.
- Plant seedlings out at the same depth as they were growing in the seedling tray.
- Gently firm down the soil to remove air pockets and water thoroughly.
- Check on your plants regularly to ensure the newly planted seedlings do not dry out.
Caring for annuals
- Fertilise seedlings with a good general fertiliser for flowering plants. For garden beds, use a granular fertiliser and for containers or hanging baskets, use a liquid fertiliser.
- Remember to deadhead flowers to keep your plants neat and tidy and also to encourage flower production.
Summer annuals
Pearl everlasting
Anaphalis spp.
Angelonia
Angelonia spp.
Bells Of Ireland
Moluccella laevis
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia spp.
Canterbury Bells
Campanula medium
Chinese Aster
Callistephus chinensis
Candytuft
Iberis umbellata
Carnation
Dianthus spp.
Cockscomb
Celosia spp.
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cupflower
Nierembergia spp.
Everlasting Pearl
Anaphalis margaritacea
Floss Flower
Ageratum spp.
Forget-Me-Nots
Myosotis spp.
Garden Dahlias
Dahlia spp.
Treasure Flower
Gazania spp.
Baby's breath
Gypsophila spp.
Hollyhock
Alcea rosea
Larkspur
Delphinium ajacis
Leucanthemum paludosum
Leucanthemum paludosum
Lobelia
Lobelia spp.
Love-in-a-Mist
Nigella spp.
Lupin
Lupinus spp.
Marigold
Tagetes erecta
Million Bells
Calibrachoa spp.
Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Phlox
Phlox spp.
Petunia
Petunia spp.
Portulaca
Portulaca grandiflora
Snapdragons
Antirrhinum spp.
Spider Flower
Cleome houtteana
Satin Flower
Clarkia amoena
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Sutera
Sutera spp.
Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Sweet William
Dianthus barbatus
Toadflax
Linaria vulgaris
Tropical Sage
Salvia splendens
Trailing Phlox
Chaenostoma cordatum
Vervain
Verbena spp.
Periwinkle
Vinca spp.
Zinnia
Zinnia spp.