Cottage Garden Flower Seeds

🌸 Ageratum mexicanum Floss Flower ‘Tall Red Flint’ – Tall Ageratum with Rich Red Fluffy Blooms

‘Tall Red Flint’ is a striking tall-growing floss flower (ageratum) variety producing dense clusters of soft, fluffy flowers in deep red to crimson tones. Held on strong, upright stems, the blooms create bold blocks of colour throughout summer and into early autumn. Unlike compact bedding ageratums, this variety offers extra height, making it ideal for borders, cutting gardens, mixed beds, and pollinator-friendly plantings.

Key Features

● Fluffy, pom-pom–like flowers in rich red shades
● Taller habit than standard ageratum varieties
● Long flowering season from summer to autumn
● Excellent for borders and cut flowers
● Easy to grow and very reliable

How to Sow & Grow Floss Flower ‘Tall Red Flint’ (UK)

Sow indoors: II–IV (February–April)
Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) after last frost
Direct outdoors: Not recommended
Flowering: VI–IX (June–September)
Life cycle: Annual
Germination temperature: 20–22 °C (68–72 °F)
Average germ time: 7–14 days
Depth: Surface sow – do not cover; press gently into soil (requires light)
Light required: Yes
Moisture: Moderate
Environment: Full sun (tolerates light shade)
Soil type: Fertile, well-drained soil
Plant spacing: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Height: 50–70 cm (20–28 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Keep seedlings warm and well-lit during early growth.
● Pinch young plants to encourage bushier growth.
● Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering.
● Performs best in warm, sheltered positions.
● Excellent colour contrast in mixed borders.

Special Features

● Unusual tall form of floss flower
● Intense red colouring rare in ageratum
● Attractive to bees and other pollinators

English Daisy Mix Seeds (Bellis Perennis Monstrosa)

A classic cottage garden favorite, English Daisy Mix produces charming button-like blooms in shades of white, pink, and red. Compact and easy to grow, these low-maintenance flowers are perfect for borders, containers, and pollinator-friendly gardens.

What Makes It Special

• Bright, cheerful spring color in a mix of shades

• Compact growth, ideal for edging and small spaces

• Long-lasting blooms loved by bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Botanical name: Bellis Perennis Monstrosa

• Hardy perennial (often grown as biennial)

• Height: 10–15 cm (4–6 in)

• Bloom time: Early spring to summer

Ideal For

• Borders, edging, and pathways

• Containers and pots

• Cottage and wildlife gardens

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors May–Jul

• Surface sow onto moist soil, press lightly (needs light to germinate)

• Germination: 14–21 days at 15–20°C

• Transplant when large enough, spacing 15 cm apart

• Flowers the following spring and summer

Columbine 'Nora Barlow' Seeds (Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nora Barlow')

Unique and eye-catching, Columbine 'Nora Barlow' produces fully double, spurless flowers in shades of pink, rose, and green, with a charming pompom-like appearance. Unlike traditional columbines, its blooms resemble miniature dahlias, making it a standout in cottage gardens and borders. A hardy perennial, it also attracts bees and butterflies.

What Makes It Special

• Double, dahlia-like flowers in pink and green tones

• Spurless blooms, unlike typical columbines

• Hardy perennial and pollinator-friendly

Key Features

• Botanical name: Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nora Barlow'

• Hardy perennial

• Height: 60–80 cm (24–32 in)

• Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Ideal For

• Cottage gardens and perennial borders

• Wildlife and pollinator-friendly gardens

• Cutting gardens for unique arrangements

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors Apr–Jun

• Cover lightly with soil; requires light for germination

• Germination: 21–35 days at 15–20°C

• Thin seedlings 30 cm apart

• Flowers the second year after sowing

Alpine Forget-Me-Not Pink Seeds (Myosotis alpestris)

The Alpine Forget-Me-Not Pink is a delightful variation of the classic alpine flower, producing clusters of soft pink star-like blooms with cheerful yellow centers. Compact, hardy, and easy to grow, this alpine treasure brings a gentle pastel touch to borders, rock gardens, and naturalized plantings. Its romantic tones make it especially beautiful when planted alongside the traditional blue and rare white forms.

What Makes It Special

• Uncommon pink form of the traditional alpine flower

• Hardy and resilient, thrives in cool climates and rocky soil

• A symbol of remembrance and affection, with a softer romantic hue

• Perfect companion to blue and white alpine forget-me-nots

Key Features

• Botanical name: Myosotis alpestris

• Variety: Alpine Pink

• Height/Spread: 15–25 cm tall, 15–20 cm spread

• Position: Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil

• Flowering period: Spring to early summer

• Lifespan: Hardy perennial (commonly grown as a biennial)

Ideal For

• Rock gardens and alpine displays

• Mixed pastel-themed borders

• Cottage and wildflower gardens

• Planting with spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths)

• Combining with blue and white forget-me-nots for a tricolor effect

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow: Late spring to mid-summer (May–July) for blooms the following spring.

2. How to sow:

   • Sow thinly on trays or directly outdoors into finely raked soil.

   • Cover lightly with soil or compost.

   • Keep moist until germination (10–21 days).

3. Transplant/Thin: Space seedlings 15–20 cm apart once large enough to handle.

4. Care: Allow plants to self-seed for naturalized displays year after year.

Rudbeckia ‘Goldilocks’ – 300 Seeds (Rudbeckia hirta)

Rudbeckia ‘Goldilocks’ is a cheerful annual that produces abundant bright golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centers. Compact and free-flowering, it is perfect for borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. Its long-lasting blooms attract bees and butterflies, bringing vibrant summer color and wildlife interest to any garden.

Why Grow Rudbeckia ‘Goldilocks’?

• Bright golden-yellow daisy-like blooms with dark centers

• Compact, bushy growth ideal for borders and containers

• Long-flowering, from summer into early autumn

• Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Type: Annual flower

• Height: 40–50 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowering: July–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Borders and flower beds

• Cottage and wildflower gardens

• Pollinator-friendly landscapes

• Containers and small gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April in trays or pots, lightly cover seeds

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–20°C

• Transplant outdoors: After frost risk has passed, spacing 30 cm apart

• Direct sow outdoors: April–May

• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming

Ox-Eye Daisy 'May Queen' Seeds (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)

The Ox-Eye Daisy ‘May Queen’ (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) is a charming, classic wildflower with cheerful white petals and sunny yellow centers. This hardy perennial is valued for its reliability, low maintenance, and ability to naturalize in meadows, borders, and wildlife gardens. Blooming in late spring through summer, it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

What Makes It Special

• Large, daisy-like blooms with a natural cottage garden look

• Hardy perennial that self-seeds and spreads easily

• Perfect for wildflower meadows and pollinator-friendly gardens

Key Features

• Botanical name: Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

• Perennial wildflower

• Height: 60–80 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowering: May–July

Ideal For

• Wildflower meadows and naturalizing

• Cottage and wildlife gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

Sowing

• Sow outdoors: March–May or August–October, directly where they are to flower

• Germination: 14–28 days

• Thin seedlings to 30 cm apart

• Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil

Horned Pansy 'John Jump Up' (Helen Mount) Seeds (Viola cornuta)

Bring charm and cheer to your garden with the classic Horned Pansy 'John Jump Up', also known as Helen Mount. This historic variety produces petite blooms with vibrant deep violet-purple petals, bright yellow centers, and soft lilac highlights. Perfect for naturalizing, borders, or cottage-style gardens, these hardy perennials bloom freely and reliably.

What Makes It Special

• Distinctive tri-colored flowers with cheerful faces

• Hardy, long-flowering perennial

• Great for borders, containers, and ground cover

Key Features

• Botanical name: Viola cornuta

• Perennial (often grown as a biennial)

• Height: 15–20 cm

• Spread: 20–25 cm

• Flowering: May–September

Ideal For

• Borders, rock gardens, and cottage-style plantings

• Naturalizing and long-lasting displays

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

Sowing

• Sow indoors: February–April, cover lightly with compost

• Germination: 10–21 days at 15–20°C

• Transplant outdoors: after last frost, 20 cm apart

• Prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil

Gayfeather ‘Star Purple’ Seeds (Liatris spicata)

A striking perennial, Gayfeather ‘Star Purple’ produces tall spikes of fluffy, vivid purple flowers that bloom from top to bottom. Elegant and long-lasting, it’s perfect for borders, prairie-style gardens, and cut flower arrangements, while also attracting bees, butterflies, and pollinators.

What Makes It Special

• Unique fluffy purple spikes that bloom top-down

• Hardy, long-flowering, and elegant garden perennial

• Loved by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Key Features

• Botanical name: Liatris spicata

• Hardy perennial

• Height: 60–90 cm (24–36 in)

• Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Ideal For

• Borders, prairie gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings

• Cottage gardens and perennial beds

• Cut flower arrangements (excellent vase life)

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors Apr–May

• Cover seeds lightly with soil and keep moist

• Germination: 20–40 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 30 cm apart

• Flowers from the second year after sowing

Corn Marigold ‘Eastern Star’ Seeds (Chrysanthemum segetum)

Corn Marigold ‘Eastern Star’ is an annual wildflower that lights up gardens with vibrant golden-yellow blooms. Blooming from late spring through summer, it adds a cheerful splash of color to borders, wildflower meadows, and cottage gardens. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant, it attracts pollinators and brings a natural, meadow-like charm.

What Makes It Special

• Bright golden-yellow blooms all summer

• Hardy, easy-to-grow annual

• Attracts bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Botanical name: Chrysanthemum segetum

• Annual

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Bloom time: Late spring to summer

Ideal For

• Wildflower meadows and naturalized areas

• Borders and cottage gardens

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

Sowing

• Sow outdoors Mar–Jun

• Cover seeds lightly with soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20°C

• Thin seedlings 20–30 cm apart

• Flowers the same year