Sunkist Garden Pavilion is owner run and managed, ensuring that when you shop at this store you are not only supporting local business and members of your community, you are also assured of the best range available in garden retail today. They constantly try to inspire clients with the latest information and gardening fashion trends whilst providing the best advice. They are concerned about the environment and follow environmentally responsible gardening practice and encourage all to do the same. Greenscaping for a sustainable future is the responsibility of all gardeners young and old.
The team at Sunkist Garden Pavilion more than just a team – they are family.
Here are some handy gardening tips from Sunkist Garden Pavilion:
Get Colour Crazy! It’s time to colour in for the new season. By planting now, the pansies, primulas and more will have an advantage over later planted ones because the warmer weather now will help them to grow bigger. Pansies are our most popular but don’t forget things like Dianthus or Calendulas. This year, how about planting a different colour to what you always plant? By mixing it up inspiration and creativity will return. A change is as good as a holiday they say…
Did you know that one pansy plant will have well over 600 flowers? No wonder we love them so much!
Bedding plants need a lot less attention in winter, provided they get planted into soil that is well prepared. Compost is the basis of any good planting regime and should be added liberally. Compost improves the aeration of the soil, encourages earthworms and also helps to retain moisture – important as we head into drier winter months. At planting, add a handful of BioGanic organic fertiliser. After planting add a layer of mulch on top of the soil and you’re ready to go!
One often hears about the three Ps (pansies, poppies and primulas) for winter gardens. They are the most popular and rewarding winter bedding plants but are by no means the only options.
In full sun spots towering above the rest, grow some poppies. Poppies are special because they attract bees to the garden. The same as we help feed the birds in winter, it is important to consider planting flowers that encourage bees. More and more reports are coming out on the plight of bees and we are all becoming more aware of the importance of bees in the environment as part of our food production.
Plant poppies in the most sun you can. They will grow in a bit of shade, but flowering is best when they get sun. Once in, nip out the first couple of flowers so that the strength goes into the plant and it grows stronger. Once the poppies start to flower keep more flowers coming by dead-heading them as much as possible. This will keep them in full flower longer. Poppies are also great cut flowers. To make them last longer in the vase dip the newly cut stem in a bit of boiling water and then straight into the vase.
Pansies and Violas are a must in the winter and spring garden, flowering for months on end. Planted anytime from autumn through to spring they will be in flower well into October and even early November; making them incredible value for money. Pansies through winter want full sun most of the day to perform at their best. If you give them too much shade they will produce fewer flowers through the coldest months and only provide a mass show at the end of spring.
TIP: Keep your winter pansies slightly on the dry side and keep dead-heading them to produce more flowers.
Violas look just like pansies but have a smaller flower. Violas are for semi-shade and have the added fun element that their flowers are often fragrant and make a pretty addition to salads and on top of cupcakes for lazy winter afternoon high teas.
Primulas and primroses are our recommendations for shady garden beds or containers. The Primulas are available in white and shades of purple and last for months in well-prepared soil. It is especially important to prepare the soil well for Primulas if you are planting them under trees, as the past summer would have had the trees take all the extra food out of the soil. Plant them with BioGanic and Bone Meal and then keep them well watered. Feed them with Multifeed Classic regularly to get the best show over the next few months.
Primroses look like giant buttons and grow flat. Plant them in light shade where you can look at them from close up. Perfect for a shady patio container or along a pathway you use every day.
Choosing winter bedding plants is so much more fun than it is for summer as there are so many more to choose from and there are more colours and mixes in each variety. If you don’t have much space, winter plantings are fun to mix up and experiment with. This year plant some combos in the pots and around the garden for a cheerful uplifting display.
Idea: Underplant your bedding plants with bulbs. That way you get a layered display of colour that changes as spring gets here.
For more #gardentips visit Sunkist Garden Pavilion Kempton Park.
