Sow in April

Horned Pansy 'Arkwright Ruby' Seeds (Viola cornuta)

Add a touch of elegance to your garden with Horned Pansy 'Arkwright Ruby'. This charming perennial produces velvety deep ruby-red blooms with golden centers, creating a striking contrast. Compact and free-flowering, it’s ideal for borders, rockeries, containers, and bedding.

What Makes It Special

• Rich ruby-red flowers with glowing yellow eyes

• Long flowering season from spring into autumn

• Hardy, compact, and easy to grow

Key Features

• Botanical name: Viola cornuta

• Hardy perennial, often grown as biennial

• Height: 15–20 cm

• Spread: 20 cm

• Blooms: April–October

Ideal For

• Bedding and containers

• Rock gardens and edging

• Pollinator-friendly displays

Sowing

• Sow indoors: February–April or September–October

• Cover seeds lightly; germination takes 14–21 days at 15–20°C

• Transplant seedlings to sunny or part-shade positions

• Flowers the following spring if autumn sown

Hollyhock ‘Majorette Double’ Mix – Seeds (Althaea rosea)

The Hollyhock ‘Majorette Double’ Mix is a stunning dwarf variety producing fully double flowers in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and white. Compact and bushy, it is perfect for smaller gardens, borders, and containers while still giving that classic cottage garden charm.

Why Grow ‘Majorette Double’?

• Fully double blooms in a vibrant color mix

• Shorter, dwarf habit compared to traditional tall hollyhocks

• Long summer flowering season

• Attracts bees and pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy biennial (often flowers in the first year)

• Height: 60–80 cm

• Flowering: June–September

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Uses: Borders, containers, cottage garden plantings

Ideal For

• Smaller gardens and courtyards

• Adding vertical interest without excessive height

• Pollinator-friendly spaces

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: May–June directly in soil

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–20°C

• Transplant seedlings 40–50 cm apart

• Deadhead faded flowers for extended blooming

🌸 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

Amaranthus Brown ‘Hot Biscuits’ – Seeds

(Amaranthus cruentus)

Amaranthus Brown ‘Hot Biscuits’ is a striking annual featuring rich brown foliage and dramatic, upright flower spikes. Its bold color adds depth and contrast to borders, flower beds, and containers. Easy to grow and long-flowering, it attracts pollinators and makes a unique focal point in any garden.

Why Grow Amaranthus Brown ‘Hot Biscuits’?

• Rich brown foliage and upright flower spikes

• Bold, dramatic annual for color contrast

• Long-flowering and easy to grow

• Attracts bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Type: Annual

• Height: 90–120 cm

• Flowers: Summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile

Ideal For

• Borders, containers, and flower beds

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Adding vertical color and contrast

• Eye-catching garden focal points

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May in prepared soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C

• Spacing: 30–40 cm apart

• Care: Moderate watering; remove weeds and deadhead if needed

🌿 Ipomoea pennata (syn. Quamoclit pennata) – Cypress Vine | Delicate Fern-Like Foliage with Starry Scarlet Flowers

Ipomoea pennata, commonly known as Cypress Vine or Quamoclit, is a fast-growing annual climbing plant admired for its fine, fern-like foliage and masses of small, star-shaped flowers, most often in vivid scarlet red. Blooming throughout summer, it creates a light, airy screen on trellises, fences, pergolas, and obelisks. Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, this elegant climber adds movement and colour to sunny gardens.

Key Features

● Fast-growing annual climber

● Delicate, feathery foliage with airy appearance

● Abundant star-shaped scarlet flowers

● Excellent for trellises, fences and pergolas

● Strong pollinator attraction

How to Sow & Grow Cypress Vine (UK)

Sow indoors: III–IV (March–April) in pots

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) once frost risk has passed

Direct outdoors: V–VI (May–June) into warm soil

Flowering: VII–IX (July–September)

Germination temperature: 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 1 cm (½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Moderate; keep evenly moist

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Plant spacing: 20–30 cm (8–12 in)

Climbing height: 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Soak seeds overnight before sowing to improve germination.

● Provide supports early — plants climb quickly.

● Thrives in warm, sheltered positions.

● Avoid overfeeding to prevent excess foliage.

● Ideal for creating light summer screens and vertical interest.

Special Features

● Graceful, fern-like foliage unlike typical morning glories

● Long flowering season with vibrant colour

● Perfect for vertical gardening in sunny locations

Virginian Stock Mix – Seeds

(Cheiranthus maritimus)

Virginian Stock Mix is a charming, fragrant annual that produces clusters of delicate, brightly coloured flowers in shades of pink, white, yellow, and red. Its long-lasting blooms and compact growth habit make it ideal for borders, rockeries, and containers. This easy-to-grow variety attracts pollinators, bringing life and colour to your summer garden.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual

• Height: 30–50 cm

• Spread: 20–30 cm

• Flowering: June–September

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

Ideal For

• Borders and edging

• Rockeries and container planting

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Summer floral displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April at 15–20°C

• Sow outdoors: March–May directly in soil

• Germination: 10–20 days

• Thin or transplant to 20–30 cm spacing

• Deadhead to encourage continuous flowering

Standing Cypress – 150 Seeds (Ipomopsis rubra)

Add a dramatic vertical accent to your garden with Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra). This hardy biennial or short-lived perennial produces tall, slender spikes covered with brilliant scarlet-red, trumpet-shaped flowers. Loved by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, it creates a striking display in wildflower meadows, cottage gardens, and naturalized plantings. Its fern-like foliage provides texture, while the flowers bloom in succession for weeks of color.

Why Grow Standing Cypress?

• Vibrant scarlet-red tubular flowers

• Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinators

• Tall, airy spires up to 90–150 cm

• Perfect for naturalistic and meadow plantings

• Heat and drought tolerant once established

Key Features

• Type: Biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower

• Height: 90–150 cm

• Flowering: Summer (July–September)

• Position: Full sun; well-drained soil

• Uses: Pollinator gardens, borders, meadows, cut flowers

Ideal For

• Wildflower meadows & prairie gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Adding height to borders and backdrops

• Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscapes

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow outdoors: Directly in April–June where they are to grow

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Thin/plant spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Flowers the second year, but may self-seed for naturalized displays

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

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