Instant colour while your star plant takes centre stage—eventually
When you plant a striking specimen—like a hardy Hibiscus, small shrub or young perennial—in a container, it can look a little underwhelming at first. These feature plants take time to fill out and shine. But there’s a clever trick to make your container look full and colourful straight away: plant annual bedding around the base.
This approach gives you the best of both worlds—long-term structure from the specimen, and instant seasonal colour from bedding plants.
🌿 Why Use Bedding Around Specimens?
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Fills out the space while the main plant establishes
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Adds instant colour and texture
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Attracts pollinators
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Helps keep soil shaded and moist
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Easy to swap out as seasons change
It’s ideal for newer containers or fresh transplants that haven’t yet made their visual impact.
What You’ll Need
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A large container (at least 40–50cm wide)
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Your specimen plant (e.g. Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Dwarf Rose, Agapanthus, etc.)
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Good-quality multi-purpose compost with added drainage
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Slow-release fertiliser
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A mix of bedding plants—such as Lobelia, Petunias, Calibrachoa, Geraniums, or Begonias
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Watering can or hose with a rose head
🌼 Step-by-Step: Planting Annuals Around Your Specimen
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Plant your specimen first
Position it slightly off-centre if you like a more natural look, or centrally for a symmetrical design. Make sure the root ball sits at the right depth.
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Add compost and firm in
Fill around the roots with compost and firm gently. Leave space at the top for watering.
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Choose complementary bedding
Go for compact, sun-loving annuals if your container will be in full sun. For shadier spots, choose Impatiens, Begonias or Lobelia.
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Plant the bedding around the base
Use 4–6 bedding plants, depending on the size of the pot. Leave space for airflow and future growth.
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Water in thoroughly
Both the specimen and bedding will need a good soak, especially if planting in July or August.
🌞 Ongoing Care
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Water regularly, especially in warm weather. Bedding plants dry out fast in containers.
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Deadhead spent flowers to keep blooms coming.
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Feed weekly with a liquid fertiliser if you didn’t use slow-release granules.
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As your specimen starts to grow and take up more space, remove or replace bedding as needed.
🧠 Tip: Change with the Seasons
Come autumn, swap summer bedding for pansies, violas or trailing ivy. In spring, try underplanting with violas or forget-me-nots for a fresh, seasonal update. Your specimen will eventually fill the space—but until then, let the annuals do the heavy lifting for colour and interest.
