Flowering Bedding Plants

Early Spring Flowering Plants

• Marigolds, sweet alyssum and snapdragons are among the first to flower in early spring. With care and deadheading, they thrive throughout the remainder of the spring season. Alyssum works well as a ground covering carpet in between flashier plants. It provides a very sweet smell that is quite noticeable. Other choices for early spring flowers include phlox and portulaca.

Early Summer Flowering Plants

• Vinca and zinnias are choices for early summer or late spring flowers. They range in color from bright red and orange to purple. Other choices include dwarf celosia, which give color in their bright blooms and stems. For shady areas, consider planting begonias or vinca vine for bright blooms in shades of yellow, orange and red.

Fall Flowering Plants

• Vinca and zinnias are choices for early summer or late spring flowers. They range in color from bright red and orange to purple. Other choices include dwarf celosia, which give color in their bright blooms and stems. For shady areas, consider planting begonias or vinca vine for bright blooms in shades of yellow, orange and red.

Three Season Producers

• Spreading varieties of petunias are good for three seasons' worth of color. If started inside or purchased as mature plants, they can be planted immediately after the frost and will continue producing until the first frost if deadheaded. Other long-season producers include impatiens for shady areas and verbena or moss rose for bright sunny areas that receive a lot of heat.