Brighten up summer gardens with bedding plants. They are ideal for spectacular color displays or as container plants. Check out Salvia, Geraniums, Violas and many more.

May is one of the loveliest months of the year with pink cherry blossoms floating around like crazy confetti and it's obvious that summer has just begun. The garden centers are full to bursting point with bedding plants in a huge variety of colors. Bedding Plants are ideal for summer gardens.

It is very easy to get overwhelmed by choice in the garden centers so the first and most important thing for gardeners to bear in mind is - what plant goes where. Also it is easy to forget last years' mistakes and have them repeated again so would-be shoppers should take a few moments to walk around the garden and make notes.

Decide what overall effect is desired, such as single color planting, a color-themed display or a mixed border planting. All of these can be achieved quite simply and as this aspect of gardening is an annual decision a little bit of adventure, just to see the results, can pay dividends.

Salvia

This is an ideal plant for a use as a single color display. Salvia splendens is a good choice as it is available in red, orange and sometimes purple. It grows to about 12" so when planting space the plants about 12' apart. This plant will bloom mid-summer right through to September. It excels itself in mildly acidic soil. Keep moist but don’t over water.

Geraniums

Another single display stalwart and the choice of colors here will satisfy the most discerning gardener. Choose from red, white, salmon, pink and even in some places variegated. Also a stunning feature of geranium is the flower types, such as single, double and semi-double blooms. Geraniums like full sun and can take a little drought. With this in mind they are suitable plants for containers and hanging baskets.

Single plant displays are particularly effective around the base of individual trees, such as Cherry Blossom, Laburnum and some Maples. A mixed bedding display or border can be as breathtaking as it is adventurous. Some tried and trusted plants might include some or all of the following for a long lasting colorful display.

Marigolds

Both African and French Marigolds are bright yellow or orange and will bloom all summer. African Marigold grows from 2 - 3ft. and French Marigold from 8 - 10ins. French Marigold is often referred to as Dwarf Marigold, suitable for edging and at the front of borders. Watch out for slugs, they have a voracious appetite for marigolds.

Petunia

These plants love a position in the full sun and will tolerate dry conditions. Water only when the soil around them is dry to touch. Each plant can have a mixture of different colors and they also serve very well as container plants.

Nicotania

Also known as Flowering Tobacco and is very closely related to Petunia so the same conditions apply. Watch out for caterpillars as they find these plants irresistible and just a few of them can devour a bed of Nicotania in next to no time.

Zinnia

For a colorful border this plant is a must. They are available in umpteen colors with the exception of blue. They love sun, will tolerate drought, will bloom non-stop with a prolific display all summer. They can be bought from garden centers or they can be grown quite easily each year from seed. They are fast to germinate and mature and make an ideal plant for teaching young children about gardening.

Violas

These are early bloomers and will brighten the garden from spring to early summer. They are easy to grow and their little dainty faces are a welcome sight every year. Pansies are closely related. Violas are scented so any placed in window boxes can add freshness to a room through an open window.

Anthirrhinum, Fuschia, and Sun-flowers are all other choices for the summer border.