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.
‘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.
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.
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)
Orange flecked cream petals striped and flaked with shades of tangerine. 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. Read more about Carnation ‘Chabaud Orange Sherb’
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'
Sylphid carries long plumes of lime green flowers from January until frosts. A terrific cut flower it also makes a good border plant. It grows 60 to 80cm tall by 50cm wide. Plant seed under cover in early September and put into permanent position in November.
Rich deep purple-maroon flowers are carried on long stems making this old fashioned cottage garden strain an excellent cut flower. Sow seeds from mid-autumn until early spring.
Florists Blue Boy’ is a commercial cut flower strain of this popular, dreamy blue annual. Plant seed in a sunny spot in the open garden from late summer until late winter for a good spring or early summer display. Height 80cm. Space 20cm by 20cm.
‘Purity’ is a tall white flowered variety selected from the ‘Sensation’ strain. From seed sown in situ during spring ‘Purity’ will make 100cm tall by 70cm wide plants topped by a profusion of large pure white flowers from early summer until autumn.
Tall plants produce large fully double and semi double flowers in shades of carmine pink and white. A really good cut flower as well as a fine garden plant. Height 120cm. Sow mid spring to early summer.
Sea Shells is a new strain with tubular petals and fluted edges which give a two toned, three dimensional effect. The 6 to 8cm diameter flowers are carmine, rose, pink and white. Height 100cm.
A Fleuroselect Award Winner of great merit featuring very uniform flowers radiating right around the stem. The dark purple throated flowers are closely set on the stem. A spectacular new selection.
The pure white and green flower bracts, carried on 60cm to 80 cm tall stems, make a great cut flower. Take care with this plant as the sap can cause rashes so wear glasses, gloves and long sleeves when handling it.
Forget-me-nots are biennials so seed needs to be sown during late summer or early autumn for flowering the following spring. Best sown in situ but can be raised in pots.
Hollyhocks were a mainstay of cottage gardens during the 19th century and the early part of last century. Deep blackcurrant-purple single flowers. Sow seed in situ or in individual pots from mid-summer until early spring.
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 Hollyhock ‘Chater’s Double’ (Alcea rosea)
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 Hollyhock ‘Chater’s Double’ (Alcea rosea)
Spectacular Hollyhocks on 250cm tall stems. Plant seed in individual pots during February and March and plant out into the garden when ready. The larger the seedlings grow before winter the more magnificent the flowering will be the following spring and summer.
Spectacular Hollyhocks on 250cm tall stems. Plant seed in individual pots during February and March and plant out into the garden when ready. The larger the seedlings grow before winter the more magnificent the flowering will be the following spring and summer.
Spectacular Hollyhocks on 250cm tall stems. Plant seed in individual pots during February and March and plant out into the garden when ready. The larger the seedlings grow before winter the more magnificent the flowering will be the following spring and summer.
A marvellous little annual which will flower quickly from seed sprinkled onto the garden. Sow seed during autumn and again from late winter through spring for a vivid display of the reddest of red flowers. 30cm.
A trailing strain of Lobelia suited to hanging baskets and pots as well as the front of the border. Pink, white, mauve, blue, crimson, lilac and rose are carried on a compact trailing plant.
This creamy white variety was bred in America fifty or more years ago and has stood the test of time. Growing 60cm tall by 80cm across it produces its very large flowers for many summer and autumn months. Sow seed in spring.
A terrific old variety of large flowered double marigolds. Orange, yellow and lemon flowers, some 8-10cm across are carried on a strong 70-80cm tall plant. Makes a good cut flower as well as an excellent garden subject. Sow seeds in spring.
'Mont Blanc' as you would expect is a scintillating pure white flowering form of garden mallow. If grown well it will flower from spring through the summer although it does need extra watering during dry periods. It will make a plant some 40cm tall by 30cm across.
This blend has a good mix of primrose, gold, orange, red, mahogany and more on moderately vigorous trailing plants. Can be used as a groundcover, a climber on a trellis, to trail on paths as in Giverny or in a hanging basket. Read more about Nasturtium ‘Gleam Hybrids’
This small growing nasturtium makes a mound 40cm by 40cm and produces 5cm blooms in shades of red, pink, orange and yellow from late spring until frosts. The flowers can be used in salads and the edible leaves have a peppery flavour.
Moonlight wan, creamy flowers, the closest to white of any nasturtium, make a delightful contrast to deeper coloured varieties. A compact grower making 30cm tall by 50cm wide. Sow seeds in spring for a long summer and autumn display.
An excellent cut flower as well as a great garden subject. During autumn, late winter and early spring direct sow seeds 1/2 cm deep or sprinkle seeds on the garden and keep moist until they germinate.
An excellent cut flower as well as a great garden subject. During autumn, late winter and early spring direct sow seeds 1/2 cm deep or sprinkle seeds on the garden and keep moist until they germinate.
An excellent cut flower as well as a great garden subject. During autumn, late winter and early spring direct sow seeds 1/2 cm deep or sprinkle seeds on the garden and keep moist until they germinate.
An excellent cut flower as well as a great garden subject. During autumn, late winter and early spring direct sow seeds 1/2 cm deep or sprinkle seeds on the garden and keep moist until they germinate.
An excellent cut flower as well as a great garden subject. During autumn, late winter and early spring direct sow seeds 1/2 cm deep or sprinkle seeds on the garden and keep moist until they germinate.
The yellow flowers stand proud above dark green ferny foliage on 50cm tall stems. The seed heads are ornamental and dry well for dried flower arrangements. Sow seed 1/2cm deep in situ during late winter and spring. Will self sow.
This annual fills empty spots in the garden 200cm tall stems clothed in large handsome leaves carry, from mid-summer onwards, large clusters of pure white narrowly tubular flowers, flared at the end. Read more about Night Scented Tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris)
A tried and true garden strain with all the colours, white, pink, lemon, red, yellow each as beautiful as the next. Easily grown in any sunny garden bed. Broadcast seeds in situ during late autumn and winter for flowering from late winter until early summer. Read more about Papaver nudicaule ‘Excelsior’
This is the strain that the Welsh artist Cedric Morris developed in his Suffolk garden ‘Benton End’. A mixture of soft smoky colours, grey, lilac, mauve, pink, soft orange and white. Many of the poppies are flecked and there are some picotees. Read more about Papaver rhoeas ‘Mother of Pearl’
Another fully double but with soft lavender mauve double flowers with fine petals. Sow seed 3mm deep or just sprinkle the seed straight into the garden. Height 90cm spacing 30cm.
Huge bright double pink blooms that last and last. Plant by sprinkling on the surface and keep moist every day and do not cover seed. Best planted from May to July.
The simple classic mauve single that can be hard to come by in these days of extravagent doubles. Plant by sprinkling on the surface and keep moist every day and do not cover seed. Best planted from May to July.
One of the most exciting of all peony poppies carrying bright red single flowers each with a white central cross. Flowers are held on 100cm tall stems. Sow seed in situ from autumn until late winter.
Peony Poppy ‘Double Mauve’ is a soft mauve pink with generous double blooms. Plant by sprinkling on the surface and keep moist every day and do not cover seed. Best planted from May to July.
Peony Poppy ‘Double Red’ This is a fully double red flowered strain. Tall plants to 1 metre with flowers that hold for weeks in October and November - longer if assiduously deadheaded.
Winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award Of Garden Merit ‘Silver Cup’ has large hibiscus-like flowers, pink with a silver sheen. A strong compact plant growing some 60cm tall by 40cm across. Direct sow seed in a sunny garden bed in spring. Read more about Rose Mallow ‘Silver Cup’ (Lavatera trimestris)
‘Indian Summer’ has the largest flowers of any strain. Each bloom can be 15cm across. Warm yellow black eyed flowers, up to 15cm across are produced on strong 100cm tall stems from early summer until late autumn. Space 40cm apart.
‘Marmalade’ is a dwarf growing strain suited to pot culture or a spot at the front of a garden bed. Warm orange-yellow flowers are produced on 40cm tall stems from early summer until late autumn. Space 30cm apart.
Marvellous both as a garden bedding plant and also as a cut flower, both fresh and dried, this strain copes with hot weather, even humid, and poor soils. Sow in seed trays in early spring for planting out after the last frosts. Read more about Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'
Marvellous both as a garden bedding plant and also as a cut flower, both fresh and dried, this strain copes with hot weather, even humid, and poor soils. Sow in seed trays in early spring for planting out after the last frosts. Read more about Salvia farinacea 'Victoria White'
It's the bracts which makes this annual Salvia so showy. Easily grown and vigorous it will soon make a 50cm tall by 40cm wide plant covered in blue, pink and white flowers during summer and autumn. Sow seeds in situ or in pots during spring and plant out when big enough. Read more about Salvia horminum Mixed
This terrific new snapdragon series carries many flowers on strong metre tall stems. Bred for flowering during the hotter months it is as good in the vase as in the garden. Sow seeds during spring for an early summer until autumn display of lemon flowers.
A marvellous cut flower strain with tall non-branching stems on a vigorous plant. Contains all the colours, pink, white, magenta, purple, lemon and biscuit. Sow seeds during autumn, winter and early spring.
These special flowers are the result of many years of hard work from an Australian flower breeder. Until recently all his seed was sold to commercial cut flower growers. Read more about Sunflower 'Compact Calypso Spray’
These special flowers are the result of many years of hard work from an Australian flower breeder. Until recently all his seed was sold to commercial cut flower growers. Read more about Sunflower 'Compact Garnet’
If you want a fine garen plant then let it grow naturally giving it about 60cm space. They grow from 60 to 90cm tall depending on soil conditions. Read more about Sunflower 'Compact Gold Spray’
These special flowers are the result of many years of hard work from an Australian flower breeder. Until recently all his seed was sold to commercial cut flower growers. Read more about Sunflower 'Compact Sonnet’
