If you have an outdoor space where you’re living, adding plants and flowers is a cheap and easy way to spruce it up for summer.
Trying to figure out what plants to add to your garden space, however, can often feel overwhelming. You need to consider where flowers will be planted, how much sunlight they’ll get and how often you want to water them.
So to help, a gardener named Michael, known online as “The Mediterranean Gardener” has shared his top five flower plants to add to your garden for some added colour.
And the best part? They won’t need a lot of help or attention from you in order to grow and thrive. “Here are my top five bedding plants for fast colour and low effort,” he said at the start of his TikTok video.
He then jumped into his list of five flower to add to your garden. So here are the options you should consider…
1. Petunias
“Petunias, big, bold, and full of drama. Great in hanging baskets, brilliant in borders, and they prefer full sun,” Michael said.
According to Gardenia, petunias require full sun for at least 6 hours daily. They also need to be sowedinto well-draining soil, and regular watering, especially during hot weather.
In colder climates, the flowers are grown as annuals and will not survive the winter. Because of this, it’s recommended to remove any dead plants and debris from their garden beds or containers before the first frost. They can also be brought inside during the winter months.
In warmer climate, petunias may survive the winter and can be pruned in autumn to encourage new growth in spring.
2. Begonias
“These are my go to flowers for non stop flowers,” Michael told viewers. “Full sun or partial shade, they don’t care. And they’re also somewhat drought tolerant.”
To care for your begonias, keep them hydrated while also giving soil enough time to dry out.
Begonias grow well in dappled or partial shade, so avoid putting them in south-facing spots as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight
3. Impatiens
Michael went on with his list, and said: “Number three is impatiens, or Busy Lizzie. Full sun or a shady border, and they’ll bloom like mad all summer long.”
Gardener’s World recommend planting your Impatients in pots or in the ground for long-lasting bloom. You should water them regularly to keep the compost moist, and remove faded and yellow flowers one a week to avoid grey mould.
4. Geraniums
“Number four is geraniums,” Michael announced. “A full sun worshipper with a scent that will divide the nation. But those vibrant colours are timeless.”
Geraniums, also known as pelargoniums, are easy to grow and thrive in terracotta pots as well as traditional bedding displays. They can also be planted in hanging baskets.
Keep them watered throughout the summer. As Geraniums are often grown as annuals, compost them at the end of summer. However, you can also overwinter them inside, somewhere that’s frost-free.
5. Fuchsia
“Dangly, delicate, and absolutely stunning,” Michael said about the last flower on his list. “Great for part shade and the pollinators love them too.”
Fuchsia flowers last all summer long and there are thousands of varieties available, in shades of white, candy pink, magenta, purple and red. You should pick a sheltered spot in your garden for them to grow, as the pendent flowers are easily blown off.
The plant is self-sufficient once planted, but might need watering during dry spells.