Achillea Cerise Queen – four reasons to grow: for the simply lovely deep magenta-pink flowers that last throughout the summer, cut flowers last well in water, the flower heads can be dried for flower arranging, and in the winter the seed heads are beautiful as they catch the light. A very good bee and insect plant.

Height to 60cm

Perennial

Price for 150 seeds

SOW: in spring in pots or modules of seed compost.  Barely cover with perlite or vermiculite and seal in a plastic bag.  They take 1-2weeks to germinate at 20°C.  Uncover once they have germinated

GROW:  harden off and plant out after all risk of frost has passed.  Space plants at about 30-45cm apart.  They like to be in a sunny position with well-drained soil.

ENJOY: cut flowers last well in water, the flower heads can be dried for flower arranging, and in the winter the seed heads are beautiful as they catch the light.  Don’t forget to leave some flowers in your garden, they will be appreciated by bees and other beneficial insects.

Cloth of Gold – these plants buzz with goodness, feeding beneficial insects (and beautiful butterflies). For you they make stunning splashes of mustard yellow above fern like foliage and can be cut for fresh blooms or dried for the winter. Flowering late June to September.

Height 120-150

Perennial

Price for 150 seeds

SOW: in spring in pots or modules of seed compost.  Barely cover with perlite or vermiculite and seal in a plastic bag.  They take 1-2weeks to germinate at 20°C.  Uncover once they have germinated

GROW:  harden off and plant out after all risk of frost has passed.  Space plants at about 30-45cm apart.  They like to be in a sunny position with well-drained soil.

ENJOY: stunning splashes of mustard yellow above fern like foliage and can be cut for fresh blooms or dried for the winter

Acroclinum Grandiflorum – grow your own everlasting flowers. The blooms are open with a gold centre surrounded by a ruff of petals in shades of red, pink and white. Flowering July and August.

Height to 35cm

Annual

Price for 100 seeds

SOW: in April or May where it is to flower, on open soil and lightly cover the seed.  Aim for 10m distances.  Germination takes about two weeks

GROW:  they like most garden soils but are happiest in a well-drained site in sunshine.  They are an easy annual plant.

ENJOY: it is best to cut acroclinium before flowers are completely opened. To dry, hang small bunches upside down in dry, dark, open, airy place.

Agastache Liquorice Blue – is able to flower just 10 weeks from sowing. The long blue flower spikes are ideal for cutting, they are also popular with bees and butterflies. Its name comes from the unusual aroma of the leaves. Flowers July to September

Height 60-70cm

Perennial

Price for 30 seeds

SOW: in spring in pots or modules of seed compost.  Cover with perlite or vermiculite, & place somewhere with protection and at about 20°C.  Germination takes 7-10 days.

GROW:  harden off and plant out in a well-drained position at 20-30cm apart.

ENJOY: the long blue flower spikes are ideal for cutting, they are also popular with bees and butterflies.  This is a good border plant but then there is the perennial problem of cutting it for the house - make it a home in a dedicated cutting section of your productive garden!

Ageratum Blue Ball produces compact clusters of long lasting soft blue flowers to enjoy at the front of your border or in patio pots. They do make a good cut flower (although on the short side) and are popular with bees and butterflies too. Flowering July onwards

Height to 25cm

Annual

Price for 200 seeds

SOW: in spring in pots or modules of seed compost.  Cover with perlite or vermiculite, & place somewhere with protection and at about 20°C.  Germination takes 7-10 days from February to April in pots or modules of seed compost.  Lightly cover with perlite or vermiculite and seal in a plastic bag.  They take 2 weeks to germinate at 18°C.  Uncover once they have germinated.

GROW:  harden off and plant out after all risk of frost has passed.  Space at about 10-20cm apart.  They like to be in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.  In a mild area these may grow as a perennial.

ENJOY: they do make a good cut flower (although on the short side) and, when flowering in your garden, they are popular with bees and butterflies too.

Alchemilla Mollis Irish Silk – a specially selected form of Lady’s Mantle, the name this is often known by. In the garden it is renowned for the eye-catching pearling of water droplets on the large pale green (chartreuse) leaves. These leaves, & the flowers held above, are long lasting when cut and provide an excellent foil for bolder blooms. Irish Silk is a particularly florific cultivar

Height to 45cm

Perennial

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: easy from seed, the seedlings are easy to identify as they have the same lobed leaves as mature plants.  Start them in seed trays in the spring

GROW:  harden off & plant out after frosts have finished.  They’re a very good front of border or path edging plant.  The leaves are good in combination with dark leaved plants (think purple veggies) or fine leaved plants (i.e. fennel).  Plants can take 2 years before flowering.  Divide clumps in spring.

ENJOY: the leaves and flowers are long lasting when cut and provide an excellent foil to more dramatic blooms.  Then there are the times after rain showers when the leaves have caught rain drops and they sparkle in the sunshine - perfection

Ammi Majus has lovely large white flower heads that can be cut for fresh flowers or dried. This plant can be grown outside (where it will please bees) or undercover. From the first bloom you will see why this is also known as Laceflower: Flowers July – September.

Height to 100-140cm

Annual

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: into prepared open ground in the late spring or into June when night time temperatures do not fall below 10°C.   They take between 2-3 weeks to germinate.  If growing in a greenhouse they can be sown earlier & directly into the greenhouse soil. You can sow in situ in September for earlier flowering the following year.

GROW:  these flowers will adapt to most gardens however they prefer a well-drained site in a sunny spot.  Stake in a windy garden!

ENJOY: cut for fresh displays or dry for use in the autumn and winter. 

Magic Carpet is an unusual very dwarf variety, an excellent colour mix, everything you would wish for from a Antirrhinum just at a small scale!. Ideal for edging, containers and cutting. Blooms from July to September

Height to 10cm

Half hardy Annual (in mild areas may grow as a Perennial)

Price for 150 seeds

SOW: in spring in pots or modules of seed compost.  Cover with perlite or vermiculite and seal in a plastic bag.  They take 1-2 weeks to germinate at 18°C.  Uncover once they have germinated.  Alternatively sow in a prepared seed bed in May once the temperature is not expected to drop much below 10°C, in the open germination will take 2-3 weeks.

GROW:  harden off & plant out after all risk of frost has passed: space at about 7-10cm apart.  They like to be in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.  In a mild area these may grow as a perennial.

ENJOY: mixed colours for a low display. If you are growing veggies or herbs in raised beds then these make a colourful edging.  They are a just right for cutting as a posy

Antirrhinum Rocket Mixed includes the full spectrum of snapdragon colours: pale pink, orange, red, rose, cream, white and yellow. These are some of the tallest antirrhinums to add vertical colour to your garden and vases. Flowering July to October.

Height to 90cm (& more)

Half hardy Annual (in mild areas may grow as a Perennial)

Price for 150 seeds

SOW & GROW: in spring in pots or modules, cover with perlite or vermiculite & seal in a plastic bag.  They take 1-2 weeks to germinate at 18°C.  Uncover once they have germinated.  OR sow in a prepared seed bed in May once the temperature is not expected to drop much below 10°C; in the open germination will take 2-3 weeks.  Harden off & plant out after all risk of frost has passed: space at 20-30cm apart.  They like a sunny spot with well-drained soil.  In a mild area these may grow as a perennial.

ENJOY: these are some of the tallest antirrhinums you can grow – they will add a bold splash of vertical colour to your garden and displays, they are a good cutting choice.

McKanas Giant Mixed – a cottage garden favourite this variety provide plenty of large blooms (between 4-7cm wide) in many colour combinations.  A favourite for bees and other pollinators too.  Although they may look delicate, they are ideal for cutting. 

Height to 75-90cm.  

Perennial 

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: in April or May, into pots or modules of seed compost and cover with perlite or vermiculite and then place them outdoors.  Germination takes 2-4 weeks but it can take longer.  You can sow these in the autumn, leaving them outdoors to germinate the following spring (they can flower in the first season but may well wait to settle until the following year).

GROW:  space plants at about 30cm apart.  They are happy in sun or part shade.

ENJOY: the large flowers, between 4-7cm wide, that bloom in many shades:  perfect cut flower or leave for the bees, pollinators and your self to enjoy in your garden.