• Bedding Plants
• Container-Grown Plants
• Bare-Rooted Plants
• Planting Schedule
• Watering

Although bedding plants may be available at the garden centre early in the year, you should never plant them out until you are reasonably sure that the danger of frost has passed; this will obviously depend on which part of the country you live. Half-hardy and tender perennials should be left until late spring or early summer.

Whilst container-grown trees, shrubs and perennials may be planted at any time of year, in practice it is always better to avoid very dry summer or freezing winter conditions so that the roots always have access to a ready supply of moisture. Hardy deciduous plants are therefore best planted in autumn, whilst tender species should wait until spring.

Bare-rooted deciduous plants are available after leaf-fall during the dormant season, between mid-autumn and early spring. This is also the best time to plant them, although you should ensure that the ground is not frozen or water-logged as this may damage their roots. Planting in the autumn when the soil is still warm will give the plant the best chance of establishing their roots.

If you buy a bare-rooted plant and discover that the conditions are not suitable for planting, then you will need to store it so that its roots remain moist. This may be done by 'heeling in' the plant into a sheltered place. The plant is placed into an angled hole and its roots covered with soil. Other insulating material may be added if necessary.

The following tables offer some suggestions for scheduling your planting, showing the best time to plant, along with other possible planting times if the weather conditions are suitable:

Bedding Plants

Bulbs

Herbaceous Perennials

Shrubs and Trees

Any species planted in spring may be vulnerable to drought during the first year until their roots have had time to establish fully. It is essential that they are watered well during their first few months - especially if the weather is hot or dry. Large or shallow-rooted plants, such as azaleas and clematis, will need to have particular attention paid to them.