Half-hardy Annual Flower Seeds

Dahlia 'Bloody Mary' – Seeds

(Dahlia variabilis)

Dahlia 'Bloody Mary' is a stunning compact variety that produces vibrant, dark red, fully double blooms with a rich, velvety texture. Its bushy habit and long flowering season make it ideal for borders, containers, and mixed flower beds. This eye-catching variety is also a favorite for cut flowers, adding dramatic color to bouquets and arrangements.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual (grown from seed)

• Height: 40–50 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowering: July–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Borders and bedding displays

• Containers and pots

• Cut flower arrangements

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April at 18–22°C

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Transplant after last frost, spacing 25–30 cm

• Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooms

Dwarf Cosmos 'Carpet' Mix – Seeds

(Cosmos sulphureus semidouble)

Dwarf Cosmos 'Carpet' Mix produces compact, bushy plants covered in a dazzling blend of orange, yellow, and red semi-double blooms. Unlike taller cosmos varieties, this dwarf mix stays low, creating a brilliant “carpet” of color perfect for borders, bedding, or pots. Easy to grow and tolerant of poor soil, heat, and drought, it flowers all summer long.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 25–40 cm

• Spread: 25–30 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Light, well-drained

Ideal For

• Bedding displays & borders

• Pots and containers

• Edging paths

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April, germinate at 18–22°C

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost

• Transplant or thin to 25–30 cm spacing

• Deadhead regularly to extend blooming

Dwarf Dahlia ‘Unwin’s’ Mix – Compact, Colorful Summer Blooms

Dwarf Dahlia ‘Unwin’s’ Mix produces a vibrant blend of semi-double and double blooms in bold reds, pinks, yellows, purples, and whites. With its compact, bushy growth, this variety is perfect for borders, containers, and bedding displays. Flowering from mid-summer until frost, it offers continuous color and is excellent for cut flowers despite its shorter stems.

What Makes It Special

• Bright, diverse color mix for eye-catching displays

• Blooms continuously from mid-summer to frost

• Compact habit – ideal for smaller spaces

• Excellent for cutting and garden decoration

• Easy to grow from seed

Key Features

• Height: 45–60 cm – compact, bushy habit

• Half-hardy annual – flowers in first season from seed

• Semi-double and double blooms in mixed shades

• Long-lasting blooms and great vase life

• Suitable for borders, pots, and bedding

Ideal For

• Bedding schemes and summer borders

• Patio containers and pots

• Small gardens and compact spaces

• Continuous summer-to-autumn color

Sowing

• Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost

• Cover lightly with fine soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–21°C

• Transplant after frost danger has passed, spacing 30–40 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Snapdragon 'Trumpet Serenade' – Seeds (Antirrhinum majus)

A striking variety of snapdragon with tall, trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich mix of colors. Long-flowering and versatile, 'Trumpet Serenade' adds height, structure, and vibrant color to summer borders and cutting gardens. Beloved by pollinators, it brings life and charm to any display.

Why Grow Snapdragon 'Trumpet Serenade'?

• Showy, trumpet-like blooms in mixed colors

• Long flowering season

• Excellent as a cut flower

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 60–75 cm

• Flowers: Summer into early autumn

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Use: Borders, cut flowers, cottage gardens, containers

Ideal For

• Adding vertical color to mixed borders

• Cutting for fresh bouquets

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Cottage-style and wildlife gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April, lightly pressing seeds into moist compost (do not cover, needs light to germinate)

• Germination: 10–21 days at 18–21°C

• Transplant outdoors after frost, spacing 25 cm apart

• Flowers: June–October

Tip: Pinch out young plants to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.

Cup and Saucer Purple – 14 Seeds (Cobaea scandens)

The Cup and Saucer Vine (Purple) is a vigorous climber producing dramatic, bell-shaped flowers that open green and mature into rich purple. Its fast-growing vines bring vertical beauty to arches, trellises, and fences, making it a standout centerpiece in any summer garden.

What Makes It Special

• Exotic cup-and-saucer style blooms

• Flowers shift from green to deep purple as they mature

• Rapid-growing vine for quick coverage

• Long flowering season, summer to frost

Key Features

• Half-hardy perennial, usually grown as an annual

• Height: 3–6 m

• Stunning purple, bell-shaped blooms

• Prefers full sun to partial shade

• Attracts bees and pollinators

Ideal For

• Arches, pergolas, trellises, and fences

• Cottage and ornamental gardens

• Vertical displays and natural privacy screens

• Unique cut flowers

Sowing

• Sow indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost

• Pre-soak seeds 12–24 hours before sowing

• Plant seeds on their side, just under the surface

• Germination: 20–30 days at 18–20°C

• Transplant outdoors after frost, spacing 30–45 cm apart

Aster "Color Carpet Mix" – Seeds

(Callistephus chinensis)

Aster "Color Carpet Mix" is a charming dwarf variety that produces a vivid carpet of colorful blooms in late summer and autumn. With compact, bushy growth and daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, blue, and white, this mix is perfect for brightening borders, rockeries, and container displays. Long-lasting blooms make them excellent for cutting, bringing cheer indoors as well.

Why Grow Aster "Color Carpet Mix"?

• Compact, bushy habit with masses of blooms

• Vibrant mix of summer and autumn colors

• Long flowering season

• Great for edging, containers & small gardens

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 20–25 cm

• Blooms: July–October

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

Ideal For

• Bedding & edging

• Rock gardens and low borders

• Patio containers

• Cut flower arrangements

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April, in trays or pots, lightly covering seeds

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost, spacing 20 cm apart

• Sow outdoors: May, directly where they are to flower

• Germination: 10–14 days at 18–21°C

• Remove faded blooms to extend flowering season

Matthiola Stock Ten Week Light Blue – Seeds (Matthiola incana)

Matthiola Stock Ten Week Light Blue (Matthiola incana) is a charming annual known for its elegant spikes of soft, light blue blooms. Flowering just 10 weeks after sowing, this variety combines quick growth with long-lasting beauty. Renowned for its delightful fragrance, it is perfect for borders, beds, and containers, as well as cut flower arrangements. A cottage garden favorite, it brings both color and scent into your summer garden.

Why Grow "Ten Week Light Blue"

• Soft light blue flower spikes with a sweet fragrance

• Quick to flower – just 10 weeks from sowing

• Ideal as cut flowers with long-lasting blooms

• Compact, easy-to-grow annual

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual (Matthiola incana)

• Height: 25–40 cm

• Flowering: Early to late summer

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, cottage gardens, containers, cut flowers

Ideal For

• Adding soft pastel color to summer borders

• Fragrant cottage-style planting

• Cut flower bouquets and arrangements

• Quick and rewarding garden displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–18°C

• Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed

• Space seedlings: 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Dahlia ‘Cactus’ Hybrids Mixed – Spiky, Dramatic & Bursting with Color

Dahlia ‘Cactus’ Hybrids Mixed brings an explosion of exotic, spiky-petaled blooms in a dazzling mix of colors. Their starburst-shaped flowers add drama, height, and texture to any summer display. Flowering from mid-summer until the first frost, they’re perfect for creating bold borders, stunning cut flower arrangements, and show-stopping garden focal points.

What Makes It Special

• Exotic, spiky “cactus” blooms for dramatic impact

• Rich mix of vibrant colors

• Long flowering period for continuous beauty

• Perfect for cutting and floral design

• Adds height and texture to garden beds

Key Features

• Height: 90–120 cm – tall, strong stems

• Half-hardy annual – blooms first season

• Large, starburst-shaped flowers

• Excellent vase life

• Attracts pollinators

Ideal For

• Tall borders and garden backdrops

• Cutting gardens and bouquets

• Adding exotic flair to displays

• Late-summer garden interest

Sowing

• Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost

• Lightly cover with fine compost

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–21°C

• Transplant after frost danger has passed, spacing 40–50 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil

Cup and Saucer White – 15 Seeds (Cobaea scandens)

The Cup and Saucer Vine (White) is a fast-growing climber with elegant, bell-shaped blooms resembling little teacups. Its trailing vines quickly cover fences, arches, and trellises, creating a stunning vertical display. A perfect choice for adding a touch of elegance and charm to summer gardens.

What Makes It Special

• Unique cup-and-saucer shaped blooms

• Rapid-growing climbing vine

• Long-lasting flowers from summer to frost

• Adds instant charm to vertical garden spaces

Key Features

• Half-hardy perennial, often grown as an annual

• Height: up to 3–6 m

• Large white, bell-shaped flowers

• Prefers full sun to partial shade

• Attracts bees and pollinators

Ideal For

• Fences, walls, arches, pergolas, and trellises

• Cottage gardens and romantic garden themes

• Vertical displays and privacy screens

• Cut flowers for unique arrangements

Sowing

• Sow indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost

• Pre-soak seeds for 12–24 hours before sowing

• Place seeds on their side, just under the surface of soil

• Germination: 20–30 days at 18–20°C

• Harden off and transplant outdoors after frost, spacing 30–45 cm apart