Nothing says summer quite like pots, baskets and containers overflowing with colour. You’ll know Shaun Ryan from YouGarden TV, and here he shares his love of summer bedding, his go-to planting ideas, and the simple tricks he uses to keep displays looking full, fresh and flower-packed right through to the first frosts…
“May is the month many gardeners, including myself have been waiting for. At last, we can fill our pots, containers and hanging baskets with glorious summer bedding and look forward to months of colour.
“There’s an old saying: “Ne’er cast a clout till May be out.” In gardening terms, it’s a reminder not to plant out tender bedding too early, as late frosts can still catch us out. Personally, I tend to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and often plant out in early to mid-May – but this does depend very much on where you are in the UK.
“The tradition of summer bedding dates to Victorian times, when exotic plants were introduced to Britain in huge numbers. Gardeners began creating bold, colourful displays in formal beds, and that love of seasonal planting has stayed with us ever since. For me, there’s nothing quite like filling pots and baskets with plants that will flower continuously from now until the first frosts.
There’s an old saying: “Ne’er cast a clout till May be out.” In gardening terms, it’s a reminder not to plant out tender bedding too early, as late frosts can still catch us out
“I look after quite a few containers – at home, at my mum’s, and in the village pub garden – and over the years I’ve found what works best. Most summer bedding thrives in sunny positions, but there are excellent options for shade too. Begonias, Busy Lizzies and Fuchsias will all perform beautifully in lower light, so you don’t need a sun-drenched garden to create a stunning display.
“In hotter, sunnier dry spots, I like to use more drought-tolerant plants, particularly geraniums, which cope better with the conditions.
“And when it comes to planting up pots, I always follow the classic “thriller, filler, spiller” approach. The thriller is your main focal plant – something bold and eye-catching and upright in the centre. Around that, you add fillers to bulk out the display, and finally spillers – trailing plants that cascade over the edges. Lobelia, trailing geraniums, petunias and trailing fuchsias are all perfect for this.
“For hanging baskets, one of the easiest options is an easy-fill basket. These use a simple gate system that holds the plants in place, making them quick to assemble and reusable year after year – ideal if you’re new to planting baskets or want to save time and money on expensive basket liners.
“As for favourite plants, I always come back to osteospermums – especially the vibrant purple varieties. I also love the giant jumbo fuchsias, which I grow every year for their impact and reliability. That said, I’m always on the lookout for new varieties to try, and there are always some fantastic new bedding plants available each season from YouGarden.
“Regular watering and feeding is absolutely key to success with summer bedding. A good compost with a wetting agent makes a huge difference, helping pots and baskets rehydrate properly rather than letting water run straight off the surface.
“Feeding is just as important – once plants are established and growing strongly, a regular liquid feed will keep them flowering at their best. I use both the YouGarden Premium Professional Compost and Blooming Fast range of plant food.
“Some plants benefit from deadheading – fuchsias and petunias, for example, will keep producing blooms if you remove spent flowers. Others, like most begonias and busy lizzies, are self-cleaning and need very little attention. I like to grow a mix of both to keep maintenance manageable.
“If you don’t have the time or space to grow on young plants, garden ready bedding is a brilliant option. These are well-established and can go straight into your containers for instant impact.
“After a long British winter, summer bedding really does bring a garden to life. With a little planning and care, you can enjoy vibrant colour and constant interest right through to the first frosts – and that, for me, is what gardening is all about. Hope you enjoy your summer bedding as much as I do.”
