Sow in April

Sweet William 'Auricula Eyed' Mix Seeds (Dianthus barbatus)

Sweet William 'Auricula Eyed' is a biennial flower prized for its clusters of fragrant blooms with contrasting “eye” centers. This mix offers a variety of vivid colors, making it perfect for borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. Its upright growth and dense flower clusters add dramatic color and charm to any garden setting.

What Makes It Special

• Produces dense clusters of fragrant, bi-colored flowers

• Attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

• Compact, upright growth ideal for borders and mixed beds

• Biennial: provides a reliable display in the second year

Key Features

• Botanical name: Dianthus barbatus

• Common name: Sweet William 'Auricula Eyed'

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 30–50 cm tall, 20–30 cm spread

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

• Flowering period: Second year; late spring to early summer

• Lifespan: Biennial

Ideal For

• Borders, cottage-style gardens, and mixed flower beds

• Cut flower arrangements

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Containers and patio pots

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow:

   • Indoors: February–April for transplanting

   • Outdoors: April–May in well-prepared soil

2. How to sow:

   • Sow seeds thinly on the surface and press lightly into soil

   • Keep soil moist until germination (10–20 days)

3. Transplant/Thin: Space seedlings 20–30 cm apart

4. Care: Protect young plants from frost; remove spent flowers to prolong bloom

Sweet Pea 'Neille Viner' – Seeds

(Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet Pea 'Neille Viner' is a classic climbing annual admired for its soft, delicate pink blooms and strong, sweet fragrance. Its long stems are perfect for cutting, while its vigorous climbing habit creates a stunning display on trellises, fences, or arches. Ideal for adding colour and scent to summer gardens, this variety is a favorite among gardeners and florists alike.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual

• Height: 180–240 cm (climber)

• Flowering: June–September

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

• Uses: Trellises, fences, arches, cut flowers

Ideal For

• Vertical garden displays

• Cut flower arrangements

• Cottage-style gardens

• Fragrant garden corners

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: January–April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20°C

• Plant out after last frost, spacing 20–30 cm

• Provide climbing support

• Regular deadheading encourages more blooms

Rock Cress 'Cascade Purple' Seeds (Aubrieta cultorum hybrida)

Aubrieta ‘Cascade Purple’ is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial, famous for its vivid purple blooms that blanket rockeries, walls, and borders in spring. This hardy groundcover creates a stunning cascade of flowers, softening stone edges and filling gaps between paving with ease. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant, easy to care for, and ideal for adding long-lasting color to cottage gardens and alpine plantings.

Why Grow 'Cascade Purple'

• Masses of bright purple flowers in spring

• Perfect for rockeries, walls, edging, and containers

• Hardy perennial that returns year after year

Key Features

• Type: Perennial

• Height: 10–15 cm

• Spread: 30–60 cm

• Flowering: March–May

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, light, sandy soil

• Uses: Rock gardens, edging, walls, groundcover

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays with light cover

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost, spacing 20–30 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

• Trim lightly after flowering to maintain compact growth

Lobelia ‘Twilight’ Lilac – Seeds

(Lobelia erinus)

Lobelia ‘Twilight’ Lilac is a compact and trailing variety that produces masses of soft lilac blooms throughout summer. Its delicate flowers create a stunning carpet of color, making it perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and edging borders. Easy to grow and long-flowering, it adds a graceful, airy charm to any garden display.

Why Grow Lobelia ‘Twilight’ Lilac?

• Masses of soft lilac blooms all summer

• Compact and trailing growth habit

• Perfect for baskets, containers, and edging

• Easy to grow and low-maintenance

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 10–15 cm

• Flowers: June–September

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, well-drained

Ideal For

• Hanging baskets and window boxes

• Edging borders and rockeries

• Container planting

• Adding soft lilac tones to garden displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April on the surface of moist compost (do not cover seeds)

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–24°C

• Transplant seedlings into trays when large enough to handle

• Harden off before planting outdoors after last frost

• Spacing: 10–15 cm apart

Japanese Morning Glory 'Kikyo Zaki Mix' – Seeds

(Ipomoea nil)

The Japanese Morning Glory 'Kikyo Zaki Mix' is a traditional and highly prized variety, renowned in Japanese horticulture for its uniquely ruffled, star-shaped blooms. This climbing annual produces an extraordinary mix of deep purples, blues, pinks, and whites, each with striking petal forms that set them apart from common morning glories. The lush green foliage and vigorous growth make it a spectacular choice for trellises, fences, or balcony planters.

Key Features

• Type: Annual climber

• Height: 2–3 m

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowering: July–October

• Position: Full sun / partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Training up fences, arches, or trellises

• Balcony or patio containers with supports

• Creating a vertical display of colour

• Collectors of rare Japanese heirloom flowers

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: May–June after last frost

• Nick or soak seeds for 12–24 hours before sowing to aid germination

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Plant spacing: 30–40 cm

• Requires support to climb

• Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade

Carnation Black – Seeds (Dianthus heddewigii ‘Chianti’)

Carnation ‘Black Chianti’ is a dramatic annual with deep, velvety maroon to near-black blooms that make a bold statement in beds, borders, and cut arrangements. Its compact habit, long flowering season, and striking color bring elegance and contrast to any garden. Easy to grow and perfect for adding depth to mixed displays.

Why Grow "Black Chianti"

• Striking near-black, velvety blooms

• Compact and easy to grow

• Long flowering season

• Great for cutting and arrangements

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual (Dianthus heddewigii)

• Height: 30–45 cm

• Flowering: June–September

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Uses: Borders, containers, cut flowers

Ideal For

• Bold bedding schemes

• Patio containers

• Cottage and modern gardens

• Dark accents in floral displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays/pots

• Sow outdoors: April–June in prepared soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant or thin to 20–25 cm apart

• Remove spent blooms to extend flowering

Superb Pink – Seeds

(Dianthus superbus) – Perennial, Fragrant Flowers

The Superb Pink (Dianthus superbus) is a charming, hardy perennial known for its deeply fringed, feathery petals and sweet fragrance. Its delicate pink blooms appear in summer and are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. A traditional cottage garden favorite, this variety brings romantic color and scent to borders, rock gardens, and wildflower-style plantings.

Key Features

• Type: Perennial, fragrant flower

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Spread: 25–30 cm

• Blooming period: June–August

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Cottage and wild gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Rock gardens and meadow borders

• Cut flower use thanks to its fragrance

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April (in trays or pots at 18–20°C)

• Sow outdoors: May–June (direct in prepared soil)

• Sowing depth: Lightly cover with soil (fine seeds need minimal covering)

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Care: Hardy and low-maintenance; deadhead to prolong flowering

Summer Sun – Seeds (Heliopsis scabra)

Summer Sun (Heliopsis scabra) is a hardy perennial known for its bright, golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early autumn. With tall, upright stems and lush green foliage, this variety adds long-lasting color and height to borders, cottage gardens, and mixed perennial beds. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it attracts pollinators and provides a cheerful, sunny display all summer long.

Why Grow "Summer Sun"

• Vibrant golden-yellow daisy-like blooms

• Long flowering season from mid-summer to early autumn

• Hardy, low-maintenance perennial

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Heliopsis scabra)

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Flowering: Mid-summer to early autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, cottage gardens, mixed perennial beds, pollinator-friendly gardens

Ideal For

• Adding bright color and height to summer borders

• Cottage and perennial garden beds

• Pollinator-friendly garden planting

• Long-lasting summer displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 30–40 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil in full sun

• Water moderately until established

Scarlet Flax – Seeds (Linum grandiflorum)

Scarlet Flax (Linum grandiflorum) is an elegant annual producing vibrant scarlet-red flowers on slender, graceful stems. Blooming from early summer to autumn, this low-maintenance plant adds striking color and delicate texture to borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower mixes. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant once established, Scarlet Flax attracts pollinators while providing long-lasting visual interest in sunny garden settings.

Why Grow "Scarlet Flax"

• Brilliant scarlet-red flowers on slender stems

• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn

• Easy-to-grow, low-maintenance annual

• Pollinator-friendly and drought-tolerant

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Linum grandiflorum)

• Height: 30–50 cm

• Flowering: Early summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, cottage gardens, wildflower mixes, pollinator gardens

Ideal For

• Adding bright color to borders and mixed beds

• Cottage and wildflower-style gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting schemes

• Low-maintenance sunny garden spots

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in soil

• Germination: 10–14 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil in full sun

• Water moderately until established