This is one of the joys of the garden during spring when metre tall stems carry heads of large green and red bells. This is a very easily grown bulb which obligingly quickly dries off and disappears after flowering. Happy in any well drained sunny spot. Read more about Allium siculum
These deep red trailing blooms are thought to resemble plated pony tails. As they are so tough they are a reminder of 19th century gardens when these flowers were used extensively. Height 200cm space 30-60cm.
A selected strain of green 'Love-lies-bleeding' with large drooping tassels on a vigorous upright plant to 120cm. A tough and hardy annual. Sow from October in mild regions or from November after frosts in the cool inland.
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.
Dwarf plant growing to 60cm tall carrying soft green upright flower spikes from mid-summer until late autumn. Makes an excellent cut flower and a long blooming border plant. Read more about Amaranthus cruentus ‘Green Thumb’
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’
Dwarf plant growing to 60cm tall carrying deep burgundy upright flower spikes from mid-summer until late autumn. Makes an excellent cut flower and a long blooming border plant. Read more about Amaranthus cruentus ‘Pygmy Torch’
A new, improved selection from Rotterdam in South Holland, growing to 90cm tall carrying deep burgundy upright flower spikes from mid-summer until late autumn. Makes an excellent cut flower and a long blooming border plant. Read more about Amaranthus cruentus ‘Red Flare’
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.
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.
'Thai Silk Formula' mix is a stunning mix of fluted and semi-double bush types with a velvety texture bearing many two-toned flowers 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 (Eschscholzia californica) ‘Thai Sik Formula Mix’
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)
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)
Pure red plumes are produced on strong 60cm tall stems make this a plant for both the garden and for cutting. Easy to grow in full sun after frosts have passed or started indoors or under cover in early spring. Read more about Celosia ‘Century Red’ (Celosia argentea plumosa)
Softer red plumes are produced on strong 60cm tall stems make this a plant for both the garden and for cutting. Easy to grow in full sun after frosts have passed or started indoors or under cover in early spring. Read more about Celosia ‘Century Rose’ (Celosia argentea plumosa)
Rich golden-yellow plumes are produced on strong 60cm tall stems make this a plant for both the garden and for cutting. Easy to grow in full sun after frosts have passed or started indoors or under cover in early spring. Read more about Celosia ‘Century Yellow’ (Celosia argentea plumosa)
This series has been bred for commercial cut flower production but is happy in the home garden. Flowers can be likened to crested cock’s comb or less poetically to a velvet sheep’s brain. Flowers are produced on 90cm tall stems.
This series has been bred for commercial cut flower production but is happy in the home garden. Flowers can be likened to crested cock’s comb or less poetically to a velvet sheep’s brain. Flowers are produced on 90cm tall stems.
This series has been bred for commercial cut flower production but is happy in the home garden. Flowers can be likened to crested cock’s comb or less poetically to a velvet sheep’s brain. Flowers are produced on 90cm tall stems.
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.
A stunning new imported Honeywort with brilliant blue-tinged bracts and stems, these purple flowers are a favourite of all who grow it. It will happily self sow in the garden. Sow seed in situ during winter and spring. 50 cm x 40 cm
Matsumoto is the first Fusarium tolerant aster series on the market. This is a balanced blend of separate colours, semi-double flowers, upright habit. 65cm.
A much-improved new selection of painted daisy with glistening white flowers with central red and golden yellow rings. Makes a good cut flower. From late winter until late spring. Sow seeds early spring.
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.
A stunning and quirky new introduction from Northern Europe in sizzling purple with extra fine semi-double petals radiating from the centre. Plants produce large single flowers on stout stems. Cosmos make a really good cut flower as well as a fine garden plant. Height 100cm. Read more about Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Fizzy Purple’
Another new introduction from Northern Europe in warm rose with semi-double, rosy white flowers with ruby edge. Plants produce large single flowers on stout stems. Cosmos make a really good cut flower as well as a fine garden plant. Height 100cm. Read more about Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Fizzy Rose Picotee’