This tall variety of Ageratum with strong self supporting 60-70cm tall plants carrying soft mauve blue flower heads from January until May. Sow seed indoors during early spring and plant into a sunny spot in the garden when weather warms up and frost danger is over. Read more about Ageratum ‘Tall Blue Planet F1’
One of the most beautiful of all annuals, corn cockle seed should be planted outside in garden beds in autumn. ‘Ocean Pearls’ is a new strain which produces pure white silky flowers some 3 to 5cm across on 60 to 70cm tall stems during spring.
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. Read more about Amaranthus 'Hopi Red Dye'
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 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.
A beautiful new strain with quilled flowers in white, light yellow, pink, crimson, rose and dark and light purple are carried on top of strong 60 cm tall stems.
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. Sow seed in situ in spring thinning to 20-30cm. Read more about Browallia americana ‘Blue Lady’
‘Carmine King’ has masses of deep carmine rose flowers with a creamy throat on 40cm tall stems. Easily grown in any sunny spot from seed sprinkled onto the surface of the garden. Sow seeds autumn to spring Read more about California Poppy ‘Carmine King’
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.
A terrific new double to semi-double variety carry masses of copper-orange flowers for much of spring and summer. Sow seeds from autumn to spring on the surface of a raked spot in the garden and water in. Read more about California Poppy ‘Copper Swirl’
This Fleuroselect winner is a beautiful new double cream flowered strain. It was stunning last year in our garden flowering for most of spring and summer. Sow seeds from autumn until spring.
‘Purple Gleam’ produces masses of mauve-pink to purple-pink flowers which age to rose pink. Easily grown in any sunny spot from seed sprinkled onto the surface of the garden.
