Sow in July

Peony Aster 'Delicate Pink' – Seeds (Callistephus chinensis)

The Peony Aster 'Delicate Pink' is a breathtaking annual with large, fully double flowers that resemble garden peonies. Its soft blush-pink blooms make an elegant display in borders, beds, and cutting gardens. With strong, upright stems and a long flowering season, this variety is also an excellent choice for floral arrangements.

Highlights

• Large, fully double peony-like blooms

• Beautiful soft pink color

• Excellent as a cut flower

• Long-lasting summer blooms

• Strong and upright stems

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Callistephus chinensis

• Variety: Peony Aster 'Delicate Pink'

• Seed Count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 50–60 cm tall, 25–30 cm spread

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Flowering Period: July–October

Perfect For

• Cottage gardens

• Borders and beds

• Cutting gardens and floral arrangements

• Elegant pastel displays

Sowing Instructions

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr at 18–21°C

• Cover lightly with fine compost or vermiculite

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Transplant seedlings when large enough, spacing 25–30 cm apart

• Harden off before planting outdoors after the last frost

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 Sunflower 'Sunspot' Seeds (Helianthus annuus)

The Dwarf Sunflower 'Sunspot' is a compact variety producing giant golden-yellow blooms up to 25 cm wide on sturdy dwarf stems. Reaching just 45–60 cm in height, it’s perfect for small gardens, borders, and containers while still giving the dramatic effect of traditional tall sunflowers. A favorite for children’s gardens and excellent as a cut flower.

What Makes It Special

• Dwarf habit with impressively large flowers

• Perfect for pots, small gardens, or children’s growing projects

• Sturdy stems resist wind and rarely need staking

• Attracts pollinators and makes excellent cut flowers

Key Features

• Botanical name: Helianthus annuus

• Variety: 'Sunspot'

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 45–60 cm tall, 20–30 cm spread

• Position: Full sun; well-drained soil

• Flowering period: July–September

Ideal For

• Pots and containers

• Children’s gardens and school projects

• Borders and bedding schemes

• Cut flower arrangements

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow: March–May indoors; April–June outdoors

2. How to sow:

   • Sow seeds 1.5 cm deep in pots or directly outdoors after frost

   • Germination takes 7–14 days at 15–20°C

3. Transplanting: Plant seedlings outdoors after frost risk has passed

4. Care: Water regularly in dry conditions; dwarf plants are sturdy and easy to grow.

Sunflower ‘Henry Wilde’ – 40 Seeds (Helianthus annuus)

A true classic among sunflowers, ‘Henry Wilde’ is loved for its tall, sturdy stems and large golden-yellow blooms that radiate summer warmth. This heirloom variety produces impressive flowers with deep brown centres, making it a favourite for cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and wildlife-friendly landscapes.

‘Henry Wilde’ is an easy-to-grow, reliable sunflower ideal for gardeners of all experience levels. Its bold height and vibrant colour make it a perfect backdrop in borders, along fences, or as a statement plant in any sunny spot.

Features & Benefits

• Tall and statuesque – reaches 1.8–2.2 m

• Large golden-yellow blooms with classic sunflower form

• Excellent cut flower – long, strong stems and great vase life

• Loved by pollinators – attracts bees, butterflies & beneficial insects

• Bird-friendly – seeds are enjoyed by goldfinches and other wild birds

• Easy and dependable – vigorous, fast-growing heirloom variety

Growing Information

• Sowing Time: March–June

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C

• Flowering: July–September

• Position: Full sun

• Height: 180–220 cm

• Spacing: 30–45 cm

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained; keep evenly moist

How to Grow

Sow seeds directly into the garden after the last frost, planting 1–2 cm deep. For an earlier start, sow individually in pots indoors and transplant once seedlings are strong. Provide support in windy locations. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to encourage strong stems and big blooms.

Ideal For

• Back borders & cottage gardens

• Cutting gardens

• Wildlife and pollinator gardens

• Creating natural summer screens

• Children’s gardening projects

🌸 Myosotis alpestris Forget-Me-Not ‘Blue’ – Hardy Spring Biennial with Clouds of Sky-Blue Flowers

Myosotis alpestris ‘Blue’ is a classic forget-me-not variety producing masses of small, clear blue flowers with bright yellow centres in early to mid spring. Forming neat, low-growing plants, it is ideal for borders, woodland gardens, edging, containers, and naturalised plantings. This variety is very cold-hardy and reliable, often self-seeding gently to return year after year in suitable conditions.

Life cycle: Biennial (often self-seeds and behaves like a short-lived perennial)

Key Features

● Abundant sky-blue flowers with yellow eyes

● Early spring colour and classic cottage-garden appeal

● Compact, low-growing habit

● Very hardy and easy to grow

● Excellent for borders, woodland areas and containers

How to Sow & Grow Forget-Me-Not ‘Blue’ (UK)

Sow indoors: V–VI (May–June)

Transplant outdoors: VI–VII (June–July)

Direct outdoors: V–VII (May–July)

Flowering: III–V (March–May) the following year

Germination temperature: 15–20 °C (59–68 °F)

Average germ time: 10–21 days

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

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Moderate

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Soil type: Moist but well-drained, fertile soil

Plant spacing: 15–20 cm (6–8 in)

Height: 15–25 cm (6–10 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Sow in late spring or early summer for flowering the following spring.

● Prefers cooler conditions and light shade, especially in warmer areas.

● Keep soil consistently moist during establishment.

● Allow plants to self-seed for natural drifts.

● Ideal for underplanting bulbs such as tulips and daffodils.

Special Features

● Classic spring-flowering forget-me-not

● Excellent for naturalising and pollinator-friendly gardens

● Very hardy and low maintenance

Wild Bergamot – 1,300 Seeds (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a hardy perennial known for its fragrant lavender-pink blooms and aromatic foliage. A favorite of pollinators, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it perfect for pollinator gardens, borders, and wildflower meadows. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it provides long-lasting color and texture from mid-summer to early autumn.

Why Grow "Wild Bergamot"

• Fragrant lavender-pink blooms

• Aromatic foliage with medicinal and culinary uses

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

• Hardy and low-maintenance perennial

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Monarda fistulosa)

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Flowering: July–September

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Pollinator gardens, borders, wildflower meadows, cottage gardens

Ideal For

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Cottage-style or naturalized borders

• Wildflower meadows

• Herbal and sensory gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings to 30–40 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil and full sun

• Deadhead to encourage prolonged flowering

Cosmos ‘Polidor’ Mix – Seeds (Cosmos sulphureus)

The Cosmos ‘Polidor’ Mix is a dazzling, warm-toned variety producing masses of semi-double blooms in shades of gold, orange, and scarlet-red. Unlike the softer pastel cosmos, this species (Cosmos sulphureus) is more compact, with bushy growth and excellent heat tolerance. Perfect for bright summer borders and butterfly gardens.

Highlights

• Vivid warm shades: yellow, orange, and red

• Semi-double flowers with a cheerful, fiery look

• Excellent for hot, sunny, dry spots

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Cosmos sulphureus

• Variety: ‘Polidor’ Mix

• Seed Count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 60–90 cm tall, 30–45 cm spread

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Flowering Period: July–October

Perfect For

• Adding vibrant warm tones to garden beds

• Containers, borders, and cutting gardens

• Low-maintenance summer displays

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

Sowing Instructions

• Sow indoors March–April at 18–21°C

• Cover seeds lightly with compost

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Harden off and transplant outdoors after frost, spacing 25–30 cm apart

• Can also be direct sown outdoors May–June

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

The Alpine Forget-Me-Not Mix is a charming, low-growing perennial that produces masses of tiny star-shaped flowers in soft shades of blue, pink, and white. Known for their delicate beauty and sentimental symbolism, forget-me-nots are perfect for naturalizing in borders, rock gardens, and wildflower meadows. These compact plants are especially suited for alpine and cottage garden settings, where they create a cheerful carpet of spring color.

What Makes It Special

• Beloved for their dainty flowers and long-lasting symbolism of remembrance

• Compact, low-growing plants ideal for rock gardens and alpine beds

• Early-season blooms bring vibrant color to spring gardens

• Excellent for naturalizing and combining with tulips or daffodils

Key Features

• Botanical name: Myosotis alpestris

• Variety: Alpine Mix

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

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

• Flowering period: Spring to early summer

• Lifespan: Hardy perennial (often grown as biennial in some climates)

Ideal For

• Rock gardens and alpine beds

• Cottage gardens and wildflower meadows

• Spring bulb companions (daffodils, tulips)

• Borders, edging, and naturalized plantings

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow: Late spring to early summer (May–July) for flowers the following year.

2. How to sow:

   • Sow thinly in trays or directly in a prepared bed.

   • Cover lightly with fine soil or compost.

   • Keep soil moist until germination (1–3 weeks).

3. Transplant/Thin: Space plants 15–20 cm apart.

4. Care: Prefers cool, moist conditions. Allow some plants to self-seed for naturalized drifts.

Purple Coneflower 'Starlight' – Seeds

(Echinacea purpurea)

Purple Coneflower 'Starlight' is a hardy perennial known for its striking lavender-purple petals surrounding a prominent orange-brown central cone. Its long-lasting blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, while its robust, upright growth makes it a standout in borders, wildflower meadows, and perennial gardens. This variety is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, perfect for sustainable planting.

Key Features

• Type: Perennial

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Spread: 40–50 cm

• Flowering: July–September

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Perennial borders and cottage gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Cut flower arrangements

• Naturalized or meadow-style gardens

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow outdoors: April–May, directly in soil

• Germination: 14–21 days

• Thin seedlings to 40–50 cm apart

• Mulch and water moderately; low-maintenance once established