Plant Your Winter Bedding Now: Alex’s Top Picks for a Thriving Winter Garden

As autumn settles in, it’s the ideal time to prepare your garden for winter by planting hardy bedding plants. September to November is the best time to get these plants in the ground, giving them time to establish before the colder weather sets in. Winter bedding plants are designed to withstand the elements and will brighten your garden with colour during those chilly months.

Here are a few of Alex’s favourite winter bedding plants, along with tips on how to care for them:

1. Winter Flowering Pansies

Winter pansies are a reliable choice for adding colour to your garden throughout the coldest months. These vibrant flowers will start blooming in late winter and continue through to early spring.

Care Tip:

Plant pansies in well-drained soil in a sunny spot or partial shade. They don’t mind the cold but prefer soil that stays moist without becoming waterlogged. Regular deadheading will encourage new blooms and keep your pansies looking fresh throughout the season.

2. Cheiranthus (Siberian Wallflower)

Cheiranthus, also known as the Siberian Wallflower, is an unusual but tough little plant that can tolerate harsh winter conditions. Its bright, cheerful flowers appear in late winter and continue through spring, adding a unique touch to your garden.

Care Tip:

Cheiranthus thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. These plants are low maintenance and quite hardy, making them perfect for areas of your garden that get less attention. Water regularly, but be sure the soil drains well to avoid soggy roots.

3. Wallflowers

Wallflowers are beloved for their beautifully scented spring flowers, which add a wonderful fragrance to your garden as the weather warms. They’re great for creating drifts of colour along borders or in pots.

Care Tip:

Wallflowers prefer a sunny spot with well-draining soil. They are fairly drought-tolerant but benefit from occasional watering in dry conditions. Plant them in autumn to allow their roots to establish before winter.

4. Primroses

Primroses are perfect for pots and hanging baskets, as well as for adding pops of colour to your borders. They flower from late winter to early spring and offer a bright, cheerful display.

Care Tip:

Primroses thrive in moist, well-drained soil and prefer partial shade. Water them regularly but avoid waterlogging the soil. If planting in pots or baskets, ensure there is good drainage. Primroses benefit from a layer of mulch to protect their roots during harsh winter frosts.

5. Violas

Violas are like the smaller, bushier cousins of pansies. These hardy little flowers pack a punch, blooming from late autumn all the way through spring, providing consistent colour in borders, pots, or hanging baskets.

Care Tip:

Violas prefer moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. Deadheading spent flowers will help prolong their blooming period. Violas are great for filling small gaps in your garden, and their compact growth habit makes them perfect for containers.

By planting these hardy bedding plants between September and November, your garden will be ready to face the winter months with vibrant, colourful displays. Whether you’re looking to fill pots, baskets, or garden borders, our expert team at the Dutch Marketplace is here to help you find the perfect plants to keep your garden looking its best.

Visit us in-store today to chat with Alex and the team, and get everything you need for a winter-ready garden! 🌿