Sow in April

🌸 Petunia hybrida Multiflora Nana Blue ‘Picotee’ – Compact Petunia with Elegant Picotee-Edged Flowers

‘Nana Blue Picotee’ is a charming multiflora petunia featuring rich blue flowers edged with a crisp white picotee margin. The plants are compact, low-growing and well-branched, making them ideal for containers, window boxes, borders and bedding displays. Multiflora petunias are known for their excellent weather tolerance, producing masses of blooms even in less-than-perfect summer conditions.

Key Features

● Striking blue flowers with clean white picotee edging

● Compact “nana” habit with tidy, uniform growth

● Multiflora type – very weather-tolerant and free-flowering

● Ideal for containers, baskets and bedding

● Long flowering season throughout summer

How to Sow & Grow Petunia ‘Nana Blue Picotee’ (UK)

Sow indoors: II–III (February–March)

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) after last frost

Direct outdoors: Not recommended

Flowering: VI–X (June–October)

Life cycle: Annual

Germination temperature: 20–22 °C (68–72 °F)

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: Surface sow – do not cover; gently press into compost (light required)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun (tolerates light shade)

Soil type: Fertile, well-drained compost or soil

Plant spacing: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)

Height: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Start early under cover for the longest flowering period.

● Provide good light during early growth to keep plants compact.

● Feed regularly once flowering begins.

● Light deadheading or trimming keeps plants neat and floriferous.

● Excellent choice for exposed positions due to strong weather resistance.

Special Features

● Classic picotee flower pattern

● Compact multiflora petunia with strong garden performance

● Reliable, long-lasting summer colour

Black Hollyhock – Seeds (Althaea rosea nigra)

Black Hollyhock (Althaea rosea nigra) is a striking biennial producing tall spikes of deep, dark purple to almost black double blooms. Its dramatic flowers create a bold focal point in borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly areas. Easy to grow and long-lasting, this variety attracts bees and butterflies while adding elegance and vertical interest to any garden.

Why Grow "Black Hollyhock"

• Tall spikes of deep purple to nearly black flowers

• Dramatic focal point for borders and cottage gardens

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

• Hardy biennial with long-lasting blooms

Key Features

• Type: Biennial (Althaea rosea nigra)

• Height: 1.8–2.0 m

• Flowering: Second year after sowing

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, cottage gardens, pollinator planting, cut flowers

Ideal For

• Creating vertical interest and dramatic color in borders

• Cottage and mixed garden designs

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Gardeners seeking bold, elegant biennial flowers

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: January–March

• Sow outdoors: Directly in soil April–May

• Germination: 14–21 days

• Plant out after last frost, spacing 45–60 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Wallflower 'Fair Lady' Mix Seeds (Cheiranthus cheiri)

Wallflowers 'Fair Lady' are fragrant biennial flowers producing bright, cheerful blooms in a variety of colors. Their compact, bushy growth makes them ideal for borders, rock gardens, and cottage-style plantings, while their long-lasting, sweet-scented flowers are perfect for cut flowers. This mix brings vivid color and charm to any garden.

What Makes It Special

• Produces bright, fragrant blooms in multiple colors

• Compact, bushy growth suitable for borders and containers

• Excellent for cut flowers with long vase life

• Attracts pollinators to the garden

Key Features

• Botanical name: Cheiranthus cheiri

• Common name: Wallflower 'Fair Lady'

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 30–45 cm tall, 25–35 cm spread

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

• Flowering period: Second year (biennial), spring to early summer

• Lifespan: Biennial

Ideal For

• Borders, cottage gardens, and rock gardens

• Cut flower arrangements

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Mixed flower beds

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow:

   • Indoors: February–March for transplanting

   • Outdoors: April–May in well-prepared soil

2. How to sow:

   • Sow thinly on the surface and press lightly into soil

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

3. Transplant/Thin: Space seedlings 25–30 cm apart

4. Care: Protect young plants from frost; stake if needed

Sweet Alyssum White ‘Snowcloth’ – Seeds (Lobularia maritima)

Sweet Alyssum White ‘Snowcloth’ (Lobularia maritima) is a low-growing, fragrant annual with dense clusters of pure white flowers. Its delicate blooms form a carpet of color, ideal for borders, rockeries, hanging baskets, and containers. Hardy and fast-growing, it attracts pollinators and provides a long-lasting display throughout spring and summer.

Why Grow "Snowcloth"

• Dense clusters of fragrant, pure white flowers

• Low-growing and spreading habit

• Long-lasting blooms from spring to summer

• Attracts bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Lobularia maritima)

• Height: 10–15 cm

• Flowering: April–September

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Borders, rockeries, containers, hanging baskets, ground cover

Ideal For

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Borders and edging

• Container and hanging basket displays

• Rockeries and low-maintenance flower beds

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–May in prepared soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20°C

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

• Deadhead to encourage prolonged flowering

Marsh Mallow – Seeds (Althaea officinalis)

Marsh Mallow is a hardy perennial herb known for its tall, elegant growth and soft, velvety leaves. Traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, its roots and leaves can be used in herbal remedies, teas, and natural skincare preparations. The plant also produces attractive pale pink flowers that add charm to herb and cottage gardens.

Ideal for garden beds, borders, and natural herbal plots, Marsh Mallow is easy to grow and low-maintenance once established.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: April – May

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, moist

• Watering: Regular watering until established

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with medicinal and culinary uses

• Soft, velvety leaves and pale pink flowers

• Ideal for teas, herbal remedies, and natural skincare

• Low-maintenance once established

• Suitable for herb gardens, borders, and cottage gardens

Harvest

• Harvesting period: Summer – Autumn

• Pick leaves and flowers as needed; roots can be harvested in autumn for medicinal use.

Short Tip

For a continuous supply, harvest leaves selectively and leave some to flower for seeds.

Aster Powder Puff Seeds (Callistephus chinensis)

Aster Powder Puff is a stunning annual variety producing large, fluffy, chrysanthemum-like blooms in a wide range of vibrant colors. Its double flowers resemble soft powder puffs, adding texture and richness to summer and autumn borders. Easy to grow and long-lasting as cut flowers, they make an excellent addition to cottage gardens and floral displays.

What Makes It Special

• Large, fully double “powder puff” blooms

• Available in a wide range of bright, cheerful colors

• Excellent as a cut flower with a long vase life

• Strong stems and bushy growth habit

Key Features

• Botanical name: Callistephus chinensis

• Variety: Powder Puff

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 50–70 cm tall, 25–30 cm spread

• Position: Full sun or partial shade; fertile, well-drained soil

• Flowering period: July–October

Ideal For

• Borders and bedding displays

• Cutting for floral arrangements

• Cottage gardens and mixed borders

• Late-summer color in the garden

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow: February–April indoors, or direct sow outdoors from April–May

2. How to sow:

   • Sow thinly on moist seed compost, cover lightly with soil or vermiculite

   • Germination takes 7–14 days at 18–20°C

3. Transplanting: When seedlings are large enough, transplant 30 cm apart

4. Care: Water regularly, avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew

Dahlia dwarf ‘Starlight’ – Seeds

(Dahlia variabilis)

The Dahlia dwarf ‘Starlight’ is a charming compact variety producing an abundance of single, star-shaped blooms in shades of red, pink, and white, often with contrasting centers. With its bushy, dwarf growth habit, this dahlia is ideal for containers, borders, bedding schemes, and patio displays. A long-flowering annual, it brings a burst of color from mid-summer until the first frost.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 25–35 cm

• Spread: 25–30 cm

• Flowering: July–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Containers, pots, and patio displays

• Bedding and border plantings

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Compact summer color displays

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow depth: 0.5 cm, cover lightly with soil

• Transplant: Harden off and plant outdoors after last frost, spacing 25–30 cm apart

• Care: Water regularly, deadhead faded blooms to prolong flowering

Cut Sunflower Semi Tall Mix – 40 Seeds (Helianthus annuus)

The Cut Sunflower Semi Tall Mix produces cheerful, long-stemmed blooms in a vibrant range of golden, yellow, and orange shades. Compact yet tall enough for cutting, this variety is perfect for borders, beds, and floral arrangements. Easy to grow and quick to flower, it brings a burst of summer color to every garden.

Why Grow This Sunflower Mix?

• Bright, cheerful flowers in warm shades

• Ideal for cut flower arrangements

• Semi-tall growth suits small and large gardens

• Hardy and easy to grow

Key Features

• Type: Annual

• Height: 120–150 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowering: July–September

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Cut flower gardens

• Borders and beds

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Summer bouquets

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: April–May, directly in soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20°C

• Thin seedlings: 30–40 cm apart

• Water well in dry periods

• Stake if exposed to wind

Tip: Regular cutting encourages more flowers.

Coleus ‘Everest Formula’ Mixed – Seeds (Coleus blumei)

Coleus ‘Everest Formula’ Mixed (Coleus blumei) is a striking annual known for its vibrant, multicolored foliage in shades of green, red, burgundy, and yellow. Blooming from late spring to autumn, this compact plant adds bold color and texture to borders, containers, and indoor displays. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it thrives in sunny or partially shaded spots and attracts attention with its dramatic foliage.

Why Grow "Everest Formula"

• Vibrant, multicolored foliage in green, red, burgundy, and yellow

• Long-lasting color from late spring to autumn

• Compact, low-maintenance annual

• Ideal for borders, containers, and indoor planting

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Coleus blumei)

• Height: 25–35 cm

• Flowering: Late spring to autumn (foliage-focused)

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Borders, containers, indoor displays, mixed beds

Ideal For

• Adding bold, colorful foliage to borders and containers

• Indoor or patio displays

• Cottage and mixed garden beds

• Eye-catching low-maintenance planting

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost

• Germination: 10–14 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade

• Water moderately until established