Sow in May

Bird of Paradise – Seeds (Strelitzia reginae)

Bird of Paradise is one of the world’s most striking ornamental plants, prized for its dramatic flowers that resemble tropical birds in flight. With vibrant orange and blue petals, it brings an exotic touch to gardens, patios, or conservatories. Though slow to flower from seed, the reward is a spectacular, long-lasting display that makes it a true centerpiece plant.

Why Grow "Bird of Paradise"

• Exotic orange-and-blue flowers resembling birds in flight

• Stunning architectural foliage year-round

• Long-lived, impressive container or garden plant

• A tropical showpiece with dramatic visual impact

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Strelitzia reginae)

• Height: 1–1.5 m

• Flowering: Typically 3–5 years from seed, then annually

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Specimen plant, patios, conservatories, tropical-style gardens

Ideal For

• Creating a tropical centerpiece indoors or outdoors

• Container growing for patios and conservatories

• Adding dramatic, exotic flair to gardens

• Patient gardeners seeking a rewarding long-term plant

Sowing & Growing

• Scarify seeds and soak in warm water for 24–48 hours before sowing

• Sow indoors: Anytime with heat (20–25°C)

• Germination: May take 1–3 months

• Transplant seedlings into pots, spacing well

• Requires well-drained soil, regular feeding, and patience to flower

Beeblossom Rosy-White – Seeds (Gaura lindheimeri)

Beeblossom (Gaura lindheimeri) is a graceful perennial, prized for its airy stems and delicate rosy-white flowers that resemble dancing butterflies in the breeze. Flowering over a long season, it adds elegance and movement to borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower-style plantings. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in sunny spots and well-drained soil.

Why Grow Beeblossom Rosy-White?

• Produces clouds of dainty rosy-white blooms

• Long flowering period, from summer into autumn

• Perfect for naturalistic, cottage, or pollinator-friendly gardens

• Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance

Key Features

• Type: Hardy perennial

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Spread: 40–60 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Light, well-drained

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays, lightly cover with compost

• Germination: 14–30 days at 18–20°C

• Transplant: When seedlings are large enough, plant outdoors after last frost

• Spacing: 40 cm apart

• Can also be sown directly outdoors in May–June

Tip: Beeblossom is ideal for softening borders and pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses.

Bee Balm Purple Seeds (Monarda citriodora)

Bee Balm Purple is a vibrant, aromatic perennial that produces dense clusters of fragrant purple flowers attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its aromatic foliage adds texture and scent to borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. Easy to grow and long-flowering, it also works beautifully in fresh or dried floral arrangements.

What Makes It Special

• Bright purple, aromatic blooms

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

• Hardy perennial with long flowering season

Key Features

• Botanical name: Monarda citriodora

• Hardy perennial

• Height: 60–90 cm (24–36 in)

• Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Ideal For

• Pollinator-friendly gardens and cottage borders

• Wildlife gardens and mixed perennial beds

• Fresh and dried flower arrangements

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors May–Jun

• Cover seeds lightly with soil; keep moist

• Germination: 14–28 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 30–40 cm apart

• Flowers from the first or second year

Beardtongue 'Sensation' Mix Seeds (Penstemon gloxinioides)

The Beardtongue 'Sensation' Mix brings vibrant color to the garden with spires of trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. Flowering from early summer into autumn, this hardy perennial is loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its upright habit and long flowering period make it perfect for borders, cottage gardens, and cut flowers.

What Makes It Special

• Striking mix of bold trumpet-shaped flowers

• Blooms continuously through summer into autumn

• Attracts pollinators and adds lasting garden color

Key Features

• Botanical name: Penstemon gloxinioides 'Sensation Mix'

• Hardy perennial (often grown as a short-lived perennial)

• Height: 60–80 cm (24–32 in)

• Bloom time: Early summer to autumn

Ideal For

• Cottage and perennial borders

• Wildlife and pollinator gardens

• Cut flower arrangements

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors May–Jun

• Cover seeds lightly with soil; keep moist

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 30 cm apart

• Flowers from the second year after sowing

Beach Sunflower ‘Vanilla Ice’ – Seeds (Helianthus debilis)

Beach Sunflower ‘Vanilla Ice’ (Helianthus debilis) is a low-growing, trailing annual featuring creamy white blooms with a soft yellow center. Ideal for ground cover, borders, hanging baskets, and coastal gardens, this variety thrives in sunny, well-drained conditions. Its long flowering season from summer to autumn attracts pollinators, while the trailing habit adds a cascading effect to containers and garden edges.

Why Grow "Vanilla Ice"

• Creamy white flowers with soft yellow centers

• Long flowering season from summer to autumn

• Low-growing, trailing habit ideal for ground cover and containers

• Attracts pollinators and is easy to grow

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Helianthus debilis)

• Height: 20–30 cm, trailing 50–70 cm

• Flowering: Summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Ground cover, borders, containers, hanging baskets, pollinator gardens

Ideal For

• Coastal and sunny garden settings

• Hanging baskets, containers, and cascading edges

• Pollinator-friendly garden designs

• Low-maintenance, decorative ground cover

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost

• Germination: 7–14 days at 20–22°C

• Space seedlings 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil and full sun

• Water moderately until established

Balloon Flower White Seeds (Platycodon grandiflorus)

The Balloon Flower White is a hardy perennial admired for its balloon-like buds that open into elegant, star-shaped pure white blooms. Flowering in mid to late summer, it provides a fresh, luminous contrast in borders, rock gardens, or containers. Easy to grow and long-lasting, it’s a graceful pollinator-friendly choice for brightening garden spaces.

What Makes It Special

• Unique balloon-shaped buds opening into starry white flowers

• Hardy, reliable perennial with long-lasting summer blooms

• Attracts bees and butterflies while adding elegance to gardens

Key Features

• Botanical name: Platycodon grandiflorus

• Hardy perennial

• Height: 50–70 cm (20–28 in)

• Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Ideal For

• Cottage and perennial borders

• Rock gardens and containers

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors May–Jun

• Lightly press seeds into soil; do not cover heavily (needs light)

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant seedlings 30 cm apart

• Flowers from the second year after sowing

Balloon Flower Mix – Seeds (Platycodon grandiflorus)

Balloon Flower Mix (Platycodon grandiflorus) is a charming perennial known for its unique balloon-shaped buds that open into star-like blooms in shades of blue, pink, and white. Blooming from mid to late summer, this low-maintenance plant adds vertical interest and long-lasting color to borders, rock gardens, and cottage-style beds. Hardy and easy to grow, it attracts pollinators and provides striking summer blooms year after year.

Why Grow "Balloon Flower Mix"

• Balloon-shaped buds that open into star-like flowers

• Color mix of blue, pink, and white blooms

• Hardy, low-maintenance perennial

• Pollinator-friendly and long-flowering

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Platycodon grandiflorus)

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Flowering: Mid to late summer

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, pollinator-friendly planting

Ideal For

• Adding vertical interest to borders and beds

• Rockeries and cottage-style gardens

• Pollinator-friendly garden designs

• Long-lasting summer floral displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 30–40 cm apart

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

• Water moderately until established

Balloon Flower Blue Seeds (Platycodon grandiflorus)

The Balloon Flower Blue is a hardy perennial named for its unique balloon-shaped buds that open into striking star-like, violet-blue flowers. Blooming from mid to late summer, it provides bold color and a touch of elegance to borders, rock gardens, and cottage-style plantings. Easy to grow and long-lived, it thrives in sunny or lightly shaded spots and is a favorite with pollinators.

What Makes It Special

• Unique balloon-shaped buds that burst into vivid starry blooms

• Hardy and long-lived perennial with minimal care needs

• A pollinator-friendly flower with long-lasting summer color

Key Features

• Botanical name: Platycodon grandiflorus

• Hardy perennial

• Height: 50–70 cm (20–28 in)

• Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Ideal For

• Cottage and perennial borders

• Rock gardens and mixed beds

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

Sowing

• Sow indoors Feb–Apr or outdoors May–Jun

• Lightly press seeds into soil; do not cover heavily (needs light)

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant seedlings 30 cm apart

• Flowers from the second year after sowing

Bachelor’s Button ‘Blue Boy’ – 1,200 Seeds (Centaurea cyanus)

Bachelor’s Button ‘Blue Boy’ (Centaurea cyanus) is a charming annual producing striking cornflower-blue blooms with a classic, dainty appearance. Perfect for borders, meadows, and cutting gardens, it adds vibrant color from late spring to summer. Easy to grow and long-flowering, it attracts pollinators while creating a nostalgic, cottage-garden feel.

Why Grow "Blue Boy"

• Bright cornflower-blue blooms

• Long flowering season from late spring to summer

• Easy to grow and low-maintenance

• Attracts bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Centaurea cyanus)

• Height: 40–80 cm

• Flowering: May–August

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, meadows, cutting gardens, pollinator-friendly planting

Ideal For

• Cottage-style gardens

• Cutting gardens for fresh bouquets

• Pollinator-friendly landscapes

• Meadows and naturalized borders

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20°C

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

• Deadhead to encourage prolonged flowering