By Debby Looney, gardening expert

While it is still early for planting out bedding plants, geraniums, petunias and the like, it is an ideal time for planning!

In the last few years, begonias have become very popular – understandably, as they flower well into the autumn, certainly until the first frosts. Their bright colours liven up any displays, though they really look their best when planted in groups of just begonias, as they tend to overcrowd smaller plants. There is still time to plant your own bulbs, which is a cost effective way to a grand display! Begonia corms are slightly unusual in that you plant the depressed, or dimpled, side up. Begonias are generally the last plants to be available in garden centres, as they are frost sensitive, and take quite a while to grow from the bulbs. I have mine sat since February in a warm(ish) shed, and not a sign of growth yet!

Trailing geraniums

For hanging baskets my favourites are trailing geraniums. I love the range of colours they come in, from white with pink stripes to burgundy and bright red. In my own schemes I always feel that they blend in with everything, not growing out of proportion but maintaining a nice tidy shape. Trailing geraniums are also called Ivy Leaf Geraniums, or Swiss Geraniums – though the Swiss ones have a smaller leaf and trail longer than the ivy leaved ones. Swiss Geraniums are quite difficult to come by, but absolutely worth it. The main reason I extol trailing geraniums is that they are weather proof, not drying out too much in the wind, and impervious to rain. The main reason I would say not to choose them is that perhaps they do not trail far enough to suit some displays. On the other hand, window boxes will be unlikely to topple with the weight! Surfinias, or trailing petunias, are the number one choice for length. Trailing quite a distance they give a beautiful show, but do need caring for. I always recommend a total feed as opposed to a tomato feed, as the foliage needs fertilising too. My go to is Phostrogen, as a feed I find it excellent, but there is such a range of feeds available now it would be difficult to try them all out! The Irish seaweed feeds are very rich in nutrients, and create jobs along the Irish coast, so definitely worth trying, and the likes of Miracle Gro has been tried and tested over the years too.

Surfinias never really feature around my house as I find they do not cope with the wind well at all, but they are second to none for colour!
Bacopa, with its pretty white, mauve and pink flowers is a great space filler, as is Bidens with its bright yellow daisies. Marguerites are great upright plants, benefiting from frequent feeding and dead heading. The pastel shades of daisies are a perfect foil for the brighter colours of petunias, lobelia or marigolds!