Gardening experts have shared the five best flowers to plant now for a full, blooming garden this spring.
Due to the UK’s poor weather this year, gardeners have had more challenges than ever keeping their summer gardens thriving.
Starting preparations for spring slightly earlier this year will ensure gardeners have a beautiful spring garden filled with plenty of colourful blooms.
With this in mind, gardening experts at Yell have identified the five best flower seeds to sow in September, and have spoken to the Head of Estates and Landscapes at Painshill Park Trust, Simon Akeroyd, to find the best tips to have a full and blooming garden this spring.
1. Hyacinth
Google searches for “when to plant hyacinths” see an increase by an average of 85 percent every September and April.
Hyacinths need time to become established before they can start producing their pretty, scented blooms which is why it is best to plant them in September.
To plant a hyacinth successfully, plant them around 10cm into the ground and 8cm away from other bulbs.
Simon added: “Although many people associate spring with being the time to get out sowing and planting in the garden, hyacinths will benefit from being sown in autumn. This is partly because the soil is still warm from the summer, and it gives plants enough time to get established before the colder months.”
2. Daffodils
Daffodils are a classic spring plant but need to be planted in September. Once the daffodil pod ripens and turns brown, break the hard, dry seeds from the pod and sow them immediately in a sheltered pot part of the garden or in a cold frame.
Simon has shared the best conditions to plant daffodils for them to bloom successfully: “Plants such as daffodils actually need the cold weather to break their dormancy. This process is called stratification and you can replicate it by placing seeds in compost in the fridge for a few weeks.”
3. Poppies
Poppies are one of the most planted flowers in the UK with 120,000 of the pretty flowers planted across the country for Remembrance Day alone.
Sow poppy seeds in September directly into the garden in a sunny spot with plenty of drainage. Sprinkle the seeds thinly across the garden and then thin out the seedlings once they are big enough.
4. Sweet peas
Sweet peas search volume peaks every year during the first week of September by a massive 125 percent.
Sowing sweet peas in September gives them the best chance of survival because the weather is still warm and the light levels are ideal.
However, if you don’t sow them now, they can be sown directly into the round in April or May.
5. Pansies
Pansies can be planted in September to allow their roots time to grow in order to survive the winter months.
Gardeners will need to make sure pansies are fertilised after they are planted. They also need to be mulched when the ground freezes to protect them during colder weather.
