Carousel Blend is the perfect aster for edging, covered with masses of extra large flowers, this mix of red, pink, purple and white blooms are wilt resistant too for a display from July to October. This small but tough plant is very suitable for exposed gardens.

Height 15cm

Annual

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: two options - during March to April in pots or modules of seed compost, cover with perlite or vermiculite, seal in a plastic bag and keep at about 18°C. Germination takes 1-2 weeks, uncover and grow on without the plastic bag. OR later in May or June sow where they are to flower in shallow drills 

GROW:  harden off and plant out after frost risk is over.  Space plants about 10cm apart.  They like to be in full sun.  Your open sowings can be thinned to the same 10cm spacing.

ENJOY: flowering from July to October, perfect for edging beds and borders or cutting for a posy display

Duchess Mix – this later flowering variety will give you a range of soft & bold colours, they are a superb choice for cutting.  The flower heads are characterised by their incurved petals – chrysanthemum like in form.  Flowering mid-August to September. 

Grows to 60cm tall

Annual

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: during March to April in pots or modules of seed compost, cover with perlite or vermiculite.  Seal in a plastic bag and keep at about 18°C.  Germination takes 1-2 weeks

GROW:  harden off and plant out.  Space plants about 40-50cm apart.  They like to be in full sun.  These are sturdy stemmed: however in a very windy situation it would be wise to stake them.

ENJOY: fabulous cut flowers for an early autumn display

Ostrich Plume – this double strain has more open flowers and longer petals than our other aster varieties giving it a fluffier appearance. It will give you an early show of blooms from July.

Height to 45cm

Annual

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: during March to April in pots or modules of seed compost, cover with perlite or vermiculite.  Seal in a plastic bag and keep at about 18°C.  Germination takes 1-2 weeks, uncover and grow on without the plastic bag.

GROW:  harden off and plant out.  Space plants about 20-30cm apart.  They like to be in full sun.

ENJOY: flowering from July, this lasts well after cutting for displaying on your home 

Bells of Ireland – grows long spikes of apple-green (chartreuse) bells: these are shell-like bracts that cup tiny white fragrant flowers from summer through to the autumn.  They create a stunning accent plant in a mixed border… as a foil for other colourful annuals and perennials and to use in flower arrangements (fresh or dried) They are sometimes known as Shellflower, Molucella or Molucca

Height 50-90cm+, very dependent on how happy it is! 

Annual

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: during March to April in pots of seed compost, seed depth 5mm, seal in a plastic bag and keep at 16-20°C until germinated.   You can choose to sow them in situ in May.  Germination is better after vernalisation – freeze the seed for a week and then soak overnight.

GROW:  harden off and plant out, spacing plants at about 40cm apart.  These can flower from July to September (about 12 weeks from sowing). If your garden catches the wind you may prefer to stake these. 

ENJOY: in “flower” during August & September - cut and remove leaves carefully for fresh use or drying.  Leaves can be irritating to the skin

Berlandiera Choco Prince – grow the aroma of chocolate & enjoy it wafting through the evening and morning air from the vibrant yellow, daisy-like flowers.  These blooms are very attractive for butterflies, bees and hoverflies. followed by seed heads which can be dried.   

Height 20-45cm 

Tender Perennial

Price for 20 seeds

SOW & GROW: during February to April, cover lightly with vermiculite keeping compost moist, germination 30+ days at 21°C, uncover. When large enough to handle, transplant to individual pots and grown on (on the dry side). Harden off and plant out after all risk of frost has passed, spacing 30-45cm apart.  They like a sunny position with well-drained soil, they dislike winter wet so drainage is important. A rich soil encourages sprawling growth.

ENJOY: Chocolate Daisies are night time bloomers, plant near a seat for an evening aroma.  Can be cut but in the garden they are particularly attractive to butterflies, bees and hoverflies

Bupleurum Graffiti– wonderful and unusual greeny-yellow flowers in lacecap (umbel) form. This is a first class cut flower. The very attractive leaves are rounded and reminiscent of eucalyptus. Tall erect strong stems growing to 80cm, flowering July to September.  

Height to 80cm

Annual

Price for 50 seeds

SOW: where they are to flower (in situ) during April or May depending on the weather and your location – ideally when the night time temperature will not fall much below 10°C.  Germination takes 2-3 weeks

GROW:  these flowers may need staking or growing through a frame as they are quite tall

ENJOY: a good foil for arrangements to set off other more vivid blooms and to provide height. 

Calendula Art Shades – this delightful mixture of bright colours in varying shades of yellow and orange makes for a bold border edge by your veg beds or in the greenhouse.  The flowers are both edible and attract beneficial insects and will help keep a natural balance in your plot. 

Height 45-60cm

Annual

Price for 40 seeds

SOW: in March or April either where they are to flower or in modules for transplanting. Germination takes around 2 weeks.

GROW: space plants about 20cm apart.  This easy annual is ideal for children to grow.  They are an excellent choice as a border plant in the greenhouse or in your plot as they are considered to repel pests.

ENJOY: the bright flowers will add colour to your garden, attract beneficial insects and with the added bonus that it has culinary value too. Dead head to prolong flowering.    

Calendula Oopsy Daisy – simply masses of striking cream and lemony-gold bicolour flowers will cover these compact rounded plants.  They are perfect for borders, pots, edging and also for eating!  The petals can be used to colour rice or add them to your bread mix.  Height to 30cm and flowering from June and on through the summer

Height to 30cm.

Annual

Price for 40 seeds

SOW: in March or April either where they are to flower or in modules for transplanting. Germination takes around 2 weeks.

GROW: space plants about 10-15cm apart.  This easy annual is ideal for children.  They are an excellent choice as a border plant in the greenhouse as they are considered to repel pests. 

ENJOY: these will add colour to your garden, attract beneficial insects and with the added bonus that it has culinary value too: the petals can be used to colour rice or add them to your bread mix. Dead head to prolong flowering. 

Snow Princess has dreamy soft creamy pale yellow flowers, each petal is tipped in a slightly darker shade. With some flower centres dark red this is a totally unique calendula that ought to be blooming in your garden.  Perfect for cutting, sow spring or august/September. 

Height to 60cm 

Hardy Annual 

Price for 40 seeds

SOW: undercover March-April, direct in April-May and in late August-September.  Seed depth 15mm Germination takes around 2 weeks.

GROW:  space plants about 10-15cm apart.  An excellent choice as a border plant in the greenhouse as they are considered to repel pests.  The amazing pale-yellow blooms, each up to 7cm across, are perfect when planted as drifts to show off their natural variations

ENJOY: these are a beautiful cut flower with a good vase life – indulge yourself.  With deadheading from a May sowing you could still have blooms into early November.

Calendula Touch of Red – each of the myriad petals is tipped with distinctive bronze red shades that add visual depth to the blooms.  Stunning as a cut flower, great for pollinators and edible too.  Flowering June to October. 

Height to 45-60cm

Annual

Price for 40 seeds

SOW: in March or April either where they are to flower or in modules for transplanting. Germination takes around 2 weeks.

GROW: space plants about 10-15cm apart.  This easy annual is ideal for children.  They are an excellent choice as a border plant in the greenhouse as they are considered to repel pests.

ENJOY: stunning as a cut flower, great for pollinators and edible too as the petals can be added to your salads or sprinkled over a summer pudding just before serving.