bedding plant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not strictly. While most common bedding plants are annuals (complete life cycle in one season), some tender perennials (like geraniums/Pelargoniums) and biennials (like wallflowers) are also used as bedding plants. They are treated as annuals in climates where they are not frost-hardy.

A 'bedding plant' is intended for temporary outdoor planting in garden beds or containers. A 'pot plant' (or houseplant) is typically grown indoors in a pot for long-term display. Some plants can be both, depending on climate and use.

This depends on the type. Summer bedding plants (e.g., petunias, impatiens) are planted after the last frost in spring. Winter/spring bedding plants (e.g., pansies, primulas) are planted in autumn to provide colour through the colder months.

Typically, no. The term is reserved for ornamental plants grown for visual effect. Vegetables are usually referred to as 'crops' or specifically (e.g., 'lettuce plants'). However, some decorative vegetables like rainbow chard or ornamental kale might blur this line in garden design.

A plant, typically an annual, grown in a garden bed or container for a single season to provide temporary decorative colour or foliage.

Bedding plant is usually everyday, gardening/horticultural in register.

Bedding plant: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbed.ɪŋ ˌplɑːnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbed.ɪŋ ˌplænt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.