Sow in May

Blue Globe Thistle Seeds (Echinops ritro)

The Blue Globe Thistle is a striking perennial featuring spiky, metallic-blue globe-shaped flowers atop silvery-green foliage. Its architectural form adds drama to borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower plantings, while also serving as an excellent cut or dried flower. Hardy and drought-tolerant, it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

What Makes It Special

• Unique metallic-blue, spherical flower heads

• Hardy, drought-tolerant, and long-lasting perennial

• Excellent for fresh or dried flower arrangements

Key Features

• Botanical name: Echinops ritro

• Hardy perennial

• Height: 60–90 cm (24–36 in)

• Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Ideal For

• Architectural accents in borders and cottage gardens

• Wildflower and pollinator-friendly plantings

• Fresh and dried cut flower arrangements

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors May–Jun

• Mix seeds with moist compost and refrigerate 2–4 weeks for stratification

• Germination: 14–35 days at 18–22°C after cold treatment

• Thin seedlings 40 cm apart

• Flowers from the second year after sowing

Blue Flax Seeds (Linum perenne)

Delicate yet resilient, Blue Flax produces graceful sky-blue flowers on slender stems that sway gently in the breeze. Blooming over a long season, this hardy perennial is perfect for naturalistic plantings, wildflower meadows, and cottage gardens. Easy to grow and pollinator-friendly.

What Makes It Special

• Masses of sky-blue, airy flowers

• Hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance

• Long flowering season and pollinator-friendly

Key Features

• Botanical name: Linum perenne

• Hardy perennial

• Height: 30–60 cm (12–24 in)

• Bloom time: Late spring to summer

Ideal For

• Wildflower meadows and naturalized plantings

• Cottage gardens and perennial borders

• Pollinator-friendly landscapes

Sowing

• Sow outdoors Mar–May or Aug–Sep

• Scatter seeds and lightly cover with soil

• Germination: 14–21 days at 15–20°C

• Thin seedlings 20–25 cm apart

• Flowers from the second year after sowing

Pot Marigold Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ – Apricot – 1,000 Seeds (Calendula officinalis)

The Dwarf Pot Marigold ‘Sunset Buff’ is a charming, compact variety producing apricot-peach blooms with soft golden undertones. Its warm pastel shades bring a unique elegance to beds, borders, and cottage gardens. Easy to grow and long-flowering, this hardy annual is also edible, with petals traditionally used to decorate salads or for natural dye.

Highlights

• Distinctive apricot–buff blooms with golden tones

• Compact, dwarf habit – perfect for pots and borders

• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn

• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

• Edible petals for salads and herbal uses

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

• Variety: Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ (Apricot)

• Seed Count: 1,000 seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 25–30 cm tall, compact growth

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Flowering Period: June – October

Perfect For

• Bedding, borders, and cottage gardens

• Patio pots and containers

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Edible flower displays and herbal uses

Sowing Instructions

• Sow outdoors March–May or August–September for overwintering

• Sow directly into soil, lightly cover seeds

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart

• Deadhead regularly for prolonged flowering

Canterbury Bells Double Mix – Seeds

(Campanula medium)

Canterbury Bells ‘Double Mix’ is a traditional cottage garden favorite, producing tall spires filled with large, fully double bell-shaped blooms. This colorful mix features shades of blue, pink, white, and lavender, bringing old-fashioned charm and elegance to borders, beds, and cutting gardens.

Why Grow Canterbury Bells Double Mix?

• Stunning double blooms in soft pastel shades

• Classic cottage garden plant with tall spires

• Long-lasting cut flowers for arrangements

• Reliable biennial, flowering the following year

Key Features

• Type: Biennial

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Flowers: Early to mid-summer (second year)

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

Ideal For

• Cottage and traditional gardens

• Flower borders and background planting

• Cut flower arrangements

• Pollinator-friendly spaces

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: May–July in trays of fine compost (do not cover seeds – light aids germination)

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant: Prick out seedlings and grow on before planting out in autumn

• Care: Water regularly, deadhead faded blooms, and stake taller plants if needed

California Poppy ‘Purple Gleam’ – Seeds (Eschscholzia californica)

California Poppy ‘Purple Gleam’ (Eschscholzia californica) is a striking variety with silky lilac-pink flowers that glow in the sun. This hardy, drought-tolerant annual thrives in poor soils and is perfect for borders, rockeries, and wildflower meadows. Flowering from summer into autumn, it brings long-lasting color while attracting bees and butterflies. Easy to grow and self-seeding, it will return year after year with minimal effort.

Why Grow "Purple Gleam"

• Unique lilac-pink flowers with a shimmering finish

• Long flowering season from summer to autumn

• Hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual (Eschscholzia californica)

• Height: 20–30 cm

• Flowering: Summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, rockeries, meadows, containers, pollinator gardens

Ideal For

• Naturalistic and wildflower-style gardens

• Adding soft, unusual color to borders and beds

• Rockeries and container planting

• Easy, low-maintenance seasonal color

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–May or September for earlier blooms

• Germination: 14–21 days

• Thin seedlings: 15–20 cm apart

• Prefers poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil

• Self-seeds freely for natural displays

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

Yarrow ‘Milfoil Cerise Queen’ – Seeds (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow ‘Milfoil Cerise Queen’ (Achillea millefolium) is a hardy perennial featuring flat-topped clusters of vibrant cerise flowers above fine, fern-like foliage. Blooming from early summer to autumn, it adds long-lasting color and texture to borders, rockeries, and wildflower gardens. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and attractive to pollinators, this yarrow is ideal for sustainable gardens and mixed perennial beds.

Why Grow "Milfoil Cerise Queen"

• Vibrant cerise, flat-topped flower clusters

• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn

• Hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Achillea millefolium)

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Flowering: Early summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, rockeries, wildflower gardens, pollinator-friendly beds

Ideal For

• Adding bold color and texture to perennial borders

• Sustainable and low-water gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting schemes

• Cottage-style or naturalistic gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: March–May directly in soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 30 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil in full sun

• Cut back spent flowers to encourage rebloom

Cornflower Double ‘Black Ball’ – Seeds

(Centaurea cyanus)

Cornflower Double ‘Black Ball’ is an annual with striking, deep black double blooms that add bold contrast to gardens and floral arrangements. Its long flowering season and compact growth make it ideal for borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it also attracts bees and butterflies.

Why Grow Cornflower Double ‘Black Ball’?

• Striking deep black double blooms

• Long-flowering, compact annual

• Attracts bees and butterflies

• Ideal for borders and cut flowers

Key Features

• Type: Annual

• Height: 40–50 cm

• Flowers: Summer

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Borders, cottage gardens, and mixed beds

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Cutting for floral arrangements

• Adding bold, dark contrast to plantings

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–20°C

• Spacing: 20–25 cm apart

• Care: Moderate watering; deadhead to prolong flowering

Wild Marjoram – Oregano – Seeds (Origanum vulgare)

Wild Marjoram (Oregano) is a hardy perennial herb cherished for its fragrant leaves and delicate pink-purple flowers. A staple of Mediterranean cooking, oregano adds a rich, earthy flavor to pizzas, pasta, sauces, and roasted vegetables. Beyond the kitchen, its nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies, making it a wonderful addition to herb gardens, borders, and pollinator-friendly spaces.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May in seed trays or pots.

• Transplant outdoors: After the last frost in a sunny, well-drained spot.

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart.

• Oregano prefers light, well-drained soil and thrives in warm, sunny conditions.

Key Features

• Aromatic herb essential for Mediterranean cuisine

• Hardy perennial, easy to grow

• Attracts bees and butterflies with summer blooms

• Suitable for pots, containers, or borders

• Drought-tolerant once established

Ideal For

• Culinary herb gardens

• Fresh or dried use in cooking

• Pollinator-friendly borders

• Container growing on patios or balconies

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – May

• Harvest: June – October (leaves can be harvested fresh or dried)

Quick Tip

For the most intense flavor, harvest oregano leaves just before flowering, and dry them in a cool, airy place.