Dianthus Bouquet Purple. Picture courtesy Ball Horticultural CompanyDoes your summer flower garden start to fizzle out as soon as the cooler weather arrives? If so, you need a new plan to keep your beds blooming, and one which doesn’t cost a fortune either! It’s very hard not to get carried away at the garden centre when confronted with all those trays of delightful flowering seedlings, but please take a deep breath and stick to your original plan. Also, remember that no prize-winning flower garden can be created in the first year and a bit of planning beforehand will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

To ensure that you always have some colour in your garden, introduce a couple of new flowering perennials to your garden each season, and you will soon build up a framework of permanent flowering plants. These perennials, together with your selected shrubs and trees, will form the framework around which you can create an attractive and continuous display of colour in your garden. Perennials will also reduce the amount of annuals you need to plant each season, not only saving you a lot of cash but a lot of time also. Autumn is an exciting time in the garden and there are many beautiful perennials in bloom now; so ‘get out there’ and visit your favourite garden centre for some autumn inspiration and great advice.

Petunia "African Sunset"The addition of flowering annuals should complete your garden for all seasons, with all the various plants supporting each other visually to weave a rich patchwork of texture and colour. Colour is what most people are drawn to in a garden and should be tactfully incorporated into your design for maximum impact. You can create a mood or even change the perspective of a garden by using certain colours.

Think about how you want to use colour, not only for the way you think it will look but also for the mood you want to create in the garden. For glorious, instant gratification - nothing beats bedding plants - and just a few trays of seedlings will transform your garden into a kaleidoscope of brilliant colour.

Many bedding plants grow beautifully in containers, and a few strategically placed groupings of flowering pots and hanging baskets will instantly add a warm and welcoming touch to entrances, patios and other areas. Colour will also enhance the visibility of your business, and bold floral plantings can be changed seasonally to continually attract attention.

In cold winter regions which experience early frosts, gardeners generally start planting out trays of winter seedlings, or sowing seeds, once the soil temperatures have cooled down significantly in autumn. In subtropical and humid regions, late summer, autumn and winter are the best times to plant a flower garden; and many winter annuals, as well as summer flowering annuals are sown during these cooler months. Sowing and planting times vary from region to region, and not all so-called “winter annuals” are fully hardy to frost, so it is always best to check with your local garden centre to ensure that you plant the correct varieties at the right time.

Dianthus "Dash"Remember to water the beds and the trays of seedlings thoroughly the day before planting out, and always plant in the cool of the morning or late afternoon. To avoid damaging the seedlings, gently coax them out of their trays by pushing them out from below. A common mistake gardeners make is to plant their seedlings too deep - never bury the stems or cover their crowns with soil, as this can cause them to rot. Water well after transplanting and keep the soil moist but not soggy until they are established. If you are planting a mixture of seedlings, remember to group plants which have the same watering requirements together.

Most bedding plants need well drained soil to thrive and thorough soil preparation is vital. Start by digging the bed over thoroughly and adding generous quantities of compost or other organic matter and a handful of bone meal to each square meter of bed. For pots, use a very well drained potting mixture and add some bone meal or a slow-release fertiliser.

TIP: Do not plant the same seedlings into the same beds year after year as this can cause soil borne fungal diseases and will deplete the soil of nutrients. This is especially relevant for seedlings like petunia, pansy and viola.

With the wide selection of beautiful bedding plants available to South African gardeners, there is no excuse not to have a beautiful flowering garden all year round. The list below should inspire you to incorporate a fresh ‘new look’ in your garden every season, by using different colour schemes and plant varieties. Combine this with the fast-maturing versatility of annuals, and your garden can become a canvas, and you an artist!

African Daisy Picture courtesy Scot ParrishAfrican or Namaqualand Daisies are hardy water-wise annuals which are hardy to even severe frost. They love full sun, and grow quickly to about 35cm tall. Their flowers are so prolific that the leaves are almost invisible when the blooms appear; and they are available in the traditional bright orange and yellow flowers, as well as in many pastel shades and pure white. Sow them in masse into large beds, rockeries or borders for hassle-free colour. These easy to grow annuals are sown directly into garden beds in autumn when the soil temperatures have dropped significantly.

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Aquilegia F1 Hybrid. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaAquilegias grow in semi-shade to sun and are hardy to frost but are not suited to humid or very dry regions. They remain firm favourites to plant in shade gardens and flower in late spring and summer. Their attractive fern-like leaves are a perfect foil for the exotic- looking flowers, which are available in shades of pink, red, blue, violet, rose and burgundy, white, yellow and orange. There are compact, dwarf varieties which grow +-20cm tall; and larger varieties which vary from +-40 to 75cm tall. Plant them in mixed flower borders, or behind spring flowering bulbs for a delicate contrast. The dwarf varieties are perfect for planting in pots and window boxes.

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Alyssum mixedAlyssum is hardy to frost and available in lovely in shades of pink, rose, purple, mauve, white, and yellow. It grows best in full sun but takes light shade. New varieties are very compact; growing +-15cm tall. They are ideal edging plants and great in hanging baskets, mixed with other annuals. Their tiny seeds can be sown directly into well-prepared garden beds or seedling trays.

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Bellis Habanera. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaBellis or English Daisies grow well throughout the country provided they are watered well in dry regions. They are hardy to frost and will grow +-10 to 15cm tall, in semi-shade to full sun. They are loved for their double daisy flowers in all shades of pink to rose, scarlet and white. They grow easily in pots and make excellent border and bedding plants. Seeds can be sown directly into well-prepared garden beds or seedling trays in autumn.

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Bokbaai Vygie. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaBokbaai Vygies are compact, low-growing plants +-15cm tall, which thrive in very hot beds in full sun. They are water-wise, grow well in poor soils, and are hardy to frost. Vygies are unrivalled for their multitude of dazzling, brightly coloured flowers; and if planted in massed beds, make a striking groundcover or border plant. They are also perfect to use in hanging baskets and containers of all kinds. Seeds are sown directly into well-prepared garden beds in autumn.

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Canterbury Bells. Picture courtesy Ann SonghurstCanterbury Bells are hardy to frost and grow in sun or light shade. They are not suited to very hot, dry, or humid regions. Plants vary in height from 90 to 120cm, depending on the variety; and their tall flower spikes and bell-shaped flowers come in a lovely range of colours; from purple to violet, blue, lavender, pink and white; and last long in a vase. They are essential in cottage gardens and an excellent backdrop for the flower bed. They do well if sown in late summer and autumn, to flower in spring or early summer. Seeds are sown directly into well-prepared garden beds or trays.

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Calendula 'Yellow' Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaCalendulas grow quickly, germinate easily, are hardy to all but extremely severe frost, and will grow in full sun or light shade. They produce large, single or double flowers that last long in a vase. The clear, bright colours are orange to apricot orange and golden to lemon yellow. Both dwarf and tall strains are available, varying in height from +-20 to 75cm tall, but the dwarf varieties are the most freely available. They are ideal for beds, borders and containers. The large seeds are sown directly into garden beds in autumn.

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Chrysanthemum paludosum. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaChrysanthemums like C. paludosum with its small white daisy flowers and golden central discs; or C. multicaule with its charming yellow daisy flowers are both hardy to moderate frost and grow in full sun or semi-shade. Because they only grow +-20cm tall, they make good edging, bedding or border plants, and also grow well in hanging baskets and other containers, mixed with other flowering annuals. They can be sown almost throughout the year, directly into garden beds or seedling trays.

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Dwarf Cineraria. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaCinerarias are tender to frost and thrive in semi-shade. They grow well in the winter rainfall regions and are not suited to very dry or humid areas. When in full bloom the plant is almost completely covered by immense clusters of velvety, daisy-like flowers in many vibrant colours like blue, purple, lilac, white, pink and rose. Both single colours and bicoloured strains are available, as well as dwarf and tall varieties. Seeds can be sown in seedling trays in late summer.

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Cornflower. Picture courtesy Stig MadsenCornflowers love full sun and are hardy to frost. They bloom prolifically in late winter and spring, and their rich shades of blue are much sought after, both for garden decoration and for the cut-flower industry. Garden varieties normally include shades of pink, red, lilac and white. They are a must-have for flower beds in cottage or wild meadow gardens. Seeds can be sown directly into garden beds or in seedling trays in autumn.

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Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Mixed' Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaDelphiniums do not like humidity and very dry regions. They are hardy to frost and can be planted in full sun to semi-shade. Delphiniums vary in height from +-75cm to 1.8m tall and are truly the ‘queens’ of the flower border, with their tall, striking upright flower spikes in exquisite shades of blue, lavender, pink and white, all with contrasting white or dark centres. Seeds can be sown directly into garden beds or seedling trays, in autumn or spring.

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Diathus Mixed. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaDianthus are hardy to frost and grow well throughout South Africa for most of the year, but are not suitable for very humid regions. Plant them in full sun where they will grow +-15 to 20cm tall. These dwarf, compact carnations are grown for the classical beauty of their flowers, and come in many shades of pink, red, violet and white; are available in clear colours as well as bi-colours; and last well in a vase. Use it as a border plant or in containers. Seeds can be sown into seedling trays in autumn or spring.

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Foxglove 'Camalot Lavender' Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaFoxgloves grow best in regions with high rainfall and are hardy to frost; but are not suited to very humid or hot, dry regions. The varieties vary in height, but most of the modern strains are compact and grow +-60 to 90cm tall.  Their velvety flowers last long in a vase and have marbled markings in all shades of white, yellow, cream, lavender, rose and red. Because of their tall, striking flower spikes they are invaluable in woodland gardens and shady flower beds. Seed can be sown in seedling trays in autumn or spring, to bloom in spring and summer.

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Godetia. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaGodetias are easy to grow in full sun and are hardy to frost, but are not suited to hot humid regions. Dwarf and tall varieties are available which vary in height from +-30 to 90cm tall. They are excellent cut-flowers; producing satiny cup-shaped blooms in shades of rose to pink and peach, lavender and white; darkening at the base or shading to white or red. These are popular cool season annuals will flower in late spring and early to mid-summer, depending on when they are sown, but because they prefer cooler weather are generally sown directly into garden beds in autumn.

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Iceland Poppies. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaIceland Poppies will brighten up even the coldest winter day. They love full sun, are hardy to frost and grow well throughout South Africa, except for those very dry regions. They vary slightly in height from +-30 to 45cm. These popular cut flowers are available in bright and pastel shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, cream and white, as well as bicoloured varieties. Because poppies do not like undue disturbance, seeds are best sown directly into well-prepared garden beds. If you do sow them in seedling trays, transplant them into the garden as soon as they are strong enough, not allowing them to grow too large in the trays.

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Enchantment Linaria. Picture courtesy Ball Horticultural CompanyLinaria or Baby Snapdragons are hardy plants that love full sun and grow well throughout South Africa. The varieties vary slightly in height from +-20 to 35cm tall and produce clusters of tiny snapdragon flowers in a rainbow mixture of red, pink, yellow, purple, blue and white. They look best when sown in large clumps and make a beautiful addition to the mixed flower border; and also grow easily in pots. Seeds are sown directly into well prepared garden beds in spring or autumn. In regions that experience severe frost, it is best to sow them in spring and early summer.

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Lobelia 'Sky Blue' Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaLobelias can be grown almost throughout the year in South Africa in full sun or semi-shade; and are semi-hardy to moderate frost. They produce a profusion of tiny flowers in shades of light and dark blue, lilac, purple, pink, carmine and white. Some varieties have bronzy foliage and others bright green leaves. Modern varieties are compact and grow +-15cm tall, and there are also cascading ones, making them perfect for hanging baskets as well as borders. Seeds are sown into seedling trays in autumn or spring.

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Lupins. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaLupins are hardy to moderate frost and love full sun. They are not suited to very hot, dry or humid regions. These unusual plants produce long-stemmed spikes, 60 to 80cm tall, bearing pea-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, white, rose, lilac and blue. Lupins are eye-catching when planted in large groups. They are excellent cut-flowers and both the flowers and berries are used by florists. Seed can be sown directly into garden beds in spring or late summer.

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Mimulus 'Magic Mixed' Picture courtesy www.ballstraathof.co.zaMonkey Flowers are moisture loving plants that thrive in semi-shade, and grow +-30cm tall. Because they are tender to frost, they are generally grown as summer annuals in South Africa; but in warmer regions they can be planted all year round. Their gay flowers are available in single or mixed shades of bright scarlet, pink, white, yellow, ivory, and orange. They are perfect planted into hanging baskets and pots, or as a border to the flower garden. Seeds are sown into seedling trays in spring or autumn.

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Sundrops mix Nemesia. Picture courtesy Ball Horticultural CompanyNemesias grow best in regions with mild winters but are semi-hardy to frost if planted in a protected position in the garden. They are not suited to hot, humid regions. Their spectacular little snapdragon-like flowers come in intense colours like gold, yellow, orange, rose, pink, peach, red and white. Nemesias grow quickly to +-30cm tall and look beautifully in containers, borders, and in massed displays. Seeds can be sown in trays or directly into well-prepared garden beds in autumn.

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Ornamental Kale. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaOrnamental Kale loves full sun and is completely hardy to cold and frost, with the colourful pigmentations only appearing after prolonged cold weather and frosts. This is a fun plant if you want something a bit different to add impact to your garden. It grows +-30cm tall and the foliage can be plain or ruffled, and is available in white, pink, purple, or red. Ornamental kale looks spectacular if planted in large groups, and also does well in containers. Seeds can be sown into trays or directly into garden beds.

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Pansy 'Designer Pastel Mixed' Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPansies and Violas are hardy to frost, but do not like humidity. They vary in height from +-15 to 20cm and are timeless favourites, which come in a staggering range of bright or pastel shades; including pink, blue, yellow, gold, orange, purple, violet, red, russet, white and even black. They are available in clear single shades as well as bi-colours; and are perfect planted in hanging baskets and borders. Seeds are best sown in seedling trays in late summer to early autumn.

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Schizanthus. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPoor Man's Orchids grow well throughout South Africa, except in regions that experience severe frost. They enjoy cool, yet sunny positions; in cool regions plant them in sun to light shade; and in hotter regions in semi-shade. Hybrids vary from +-20 to 40cm tall and produce a profusion of cut flowers in colours like pink, blue, violet, lavender, magenta, white, yellow, orange, gold, red and salmon. They are excellent border plants; and bloom best when their roots are restricted, making them great in containers. Seeds are sown in seed trays in late summer.

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Primula acaulis mixed. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPrimula acaulis or Common Primroses grow about 12cm tall and thrive in semi shade. They are hardy to frost but will not tolerate heat. This primrose flowers profusely and is grown for its intensely coloured flowers in every colour except green. Plant them into pots, window boxes and hanging baskets, or use them as a border to the shady flower garden. They also combine beautifully with spring flowering bulbs. Seeds can be sown into seedling trays in autumn.

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Primula malacoides. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPrimula malacoides or Fairy Primroses are hardy to moderate frost, but do not like high humidity. Plant them in semi-shade where they will grow +-30cm tall. They remain firm favourites with gardeners for their masses of delicate flowers in delightful shades of lilac, purple, pink, carmine-red and white. They grow beautifully in window boxes, hanging baskets and pots in shady areas; and their delicate flowers make a striking edging plant and put on a brilliant show if displayed in massed flowerbeds. Seeds can be sown in seedling trays or very well-prepared garden beds in late summer and autumn.

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Primula obconica. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPrimula obconica or German Primroses are semi-hardy to frost if planted in a protected position outdoors, but they will not tolerate heat. Plant them in semi-shade where they will grow +-20cm tall. These small growing plants are like miniature floral bouquets with their clusters of flowers in a rainbow of colours, from yellows and oranges, to red, pink, lilac, blue, purple and white. They flower profusely and do well in pots, window boxes and hanging baskets, or as a border to the shady flower garden. Seeds can be sown in seedling trays in late summer and autumn.

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Petunia mixed. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPetunias can be planted almost all year round in South Africa and are semi-hardy to moderate frost, but do not like high humidity. They love full sun and varieties vary in height and spread, so check carefully before making your selection.  They are available in a wide range of colours, from fiery reds, burgundy and purples, to all shades of pink, lilac, blue, yellow, black and white.  If planted in mass, petunias will provide brilliant colour for months on end. Use the cascading varieties in containers and the compact varieties in the garden.  Seeds are best sown into seedling trays. 

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Phlox 21st Century. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPhlox can be grown almost throughout the year in South Africa, but does best in the cooler season. They can be planted in full sun to light shade and are hardy to all but severe frost. In humid regions they are planted in autumn. The new compact varieties will grow quickly to about 25cm tall; and produce large clusters of delicate blooms in many pastel and bright shades of red, pink, coral, blue, lilac, purple and white. Use them in flower borders or in containers. Seed can be sown in autumn or spring into seedling trays.

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Antirrhinum Dwarf Mixed. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaSnapdragons love full sun and are hardy to frost. Dwarf and tall varieties are available in nearly every flower colour, or bicolour; including red, bronze, yellow, orange, pink, purple, cream, and white. The short varieties are wonderful edging plants and grow well in containers; taller varieties mix beautifully with other plants in the flower border. Seed and can be sown in trays or directly into garden beds almost throughout the year in South Africa. 

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Stocks. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaStocks are among our oldest and dearly-loved garden flowers and are grown throughout South Africa in winter and spring. They love full sun and are hardy to frost. These cut flowers have a sweet perfume at night and come in shades of pink, mauve, crimson, purple, cream, yellow, peach and white. Both dwarf and tall varieties are available, ranging in height from +-30 to 70cm. Stocks are invaluable in the flower border and the dwarf varieties are easy to grow in containers. Seeds are sown into seedling trays in late summer.

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Sweetpeas. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaSweetpeas are highly scented cut-flowers that bring cheer to any winter's day. They are hardy to moderate frost and grow well throughout South Africa, except for those extremely cold regions. In very cold regions, where the weather remains cool during spring and early summer, late flowering varieties can be sown in spring to flower in early summer. Climbers will grow +-2m tall and bush varieties vary in height from 30 to 90cm. Try planting the dwarf varieties in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes, or as a border to the flower garden. Grow the climbing varieties up a protected, sunny wall or fence. Seed can be sown directly into garden beds or into seedling trays.

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Sweet William. Picture courtesy Karina BjorkSweet William remains an old-fashioned summer flowering favourite which is prized for its sweetly-scented, long-lasting cut-flowers, in lovely shades of pink, rose, red, purple and white, and sometimes bicoloured with fringed petals. Newer varieties have been bred to flower in the first year from seed; seed that is sown into trays in late spring and summer will take about 15 to 17 weeks to flower, and seed sown in late summer and autumn will take 17 to 22 weeks to flower. There are both tall and dwarf varieties which vary in height from +-15 to 60cm tall. This lovely bedding or border plant is used in cottage gardens; perennial flower borders; and grows well in containers.

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If you are not sure which varieties to plant each season; or when to sow or plant them for best results, you need this e-book

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