A great colour range of fully double flowers, rose, yellow, maroon, salmon pink, scarlet and white on 250cm tall stems. Plant seed in individual pots during February and March and plant out into the garden when ready. Read more about Alcea rosea, Hollyhock ‘Chater’s Double’ (Alcea rosea)
So many people who visit the garden are intrigued by this easily grown annual. Growing up to 140cm tall it carries 80cm long dangling green flowers tassels from early summer until autumn. It is much sought after by flower arrangers.
A new and more useful cut flower as the dark red spikes are shorter, more graceful, arching rather than trailing. Young plants have edible leaves and can be used to make a natural food dye.140cm by 60cm.
A new and exciting variety with strongly architectural spikes of orange-bronze flowers on a 100-120cm tall plant. Excellent cut flower as well as a terrific garden subject. Easily grown from seed sown in situ during spring. Read more about Amaranthus cruentus 'Hot Biscuits'
This Egyptian wildflower makes a fine addition to the garden and to a vase. 15cm diameter white lacy flower heads are produced on a strong 50-60cm tall, self-supporting plant. Sow seeds from mid-autumn until early spring.
A fine cut flower and garden plant this native of Egypt produces beautiful 15cm lacy heads of soft greeny white flowers. Last well in a vase and makes an exciting addition to a mixed border.
This dark purple variety could well have been growing in our garden here for a hundred years. It is very like the wild form of this species. Free flowering and self sowing it will grow 60cm tall by 40 cm across. Happy in sun or light shade.
Beautiful peach-pink flowers are held on sturdy stems. A fine strain first introduced in Germany 20 years ago. Height 45cm spread 40cm. happy in sun or light shade.
Last summer and autumn this was the most enquired about annual in the garden. It produces dark purple flowers, reminiscent of a bat's face, in abundance. Needs a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Sow seeds in situ or into individual pots during spring. Read more about Bat Faced Cuphea (Cuphea lanceolata) 'Purple Passion'
This easily grown annual has long been a star in the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s garden at Cruden Farm. Clear blue flowers each with a cream eye are carried for most of summer and autumn on 60cm tall stems. Read more about Browallia americana ‘Blue Lady’
From English seed house Thompson and Morgan comes this terrific new California poppy with double cherry red golden eyed flowers for many months during spring and summer. Sow seeds in situ autumn to spring.
Red Chief’ is perhaps the best red flowered Californian poppy with brilliant glossy fiery red flowers for many months during spring and summer. Sprinkle seed on the surface of the garden.
A new addition from the marvellous Thompson and Morgan breeding program, 'Gold Swirl' has rich yellow double to semi-double flowers for months on end. DIrect sow seed from autumn until spring.
A good single blue-coloured 'Canterbury Bells'. Canterbury Bells are the classic cottage plant grown as a biennial: Sow in the first half of autumn for flowering the next year. Plant seed in situ from early March until the end of April. 100cm x 80cm. Read more about Canterbury Bells 'Single Blue' (Campanula medium)
A good single rose-coloured 'Canterbury Bells'. Canterbury Bells are the classic cottage plant grown as a biennial: Sow in the first half of autumn for flowering the next year. Plant seed in situ from early March until the end of April. 100cm x 80cm. Read more about Canterbury Bells 'Single Rose' (Campanula medium)
An old cottage garden strain of with very large flowers on a pyramid shaped plant. This strain has mostly the traditional “cup and saucer” shaped flowers with a large trumpet shaped bell sitting on a flat base. Read more about Canterbury Bells Double Mix (Campanula medium)
These French heirloom carnations which date back to the 19th century have fully double frilly flowers, some 4-5cm across, with a delicious sweet spicy clove fragrance. Occasionally single flowers will be produced. Read more about Carnation ‘Jeanne Dionis'
