Sow in May

Sunflower 'Red Sun' Seeds (Helianthus annuus)

The Sunflower 'Red Sun' is a striking tall variety, producing large, fiery-red to bronze blooms with dark centers. Reaching heights of 150–180 cm, these sunflowers create a dramatic display in borders and wildlife gardens. Excellent as a cut flower and highly attractive to bees and butterflies, it brings both bold color and pollinator activity to your garden.

What Makes It Special

• Unique deep red-bronze blooms unlike typical yellow sunflowers

• Tall, stately plants ideal for the back of borders

• Long-lasting cut flowers with strong stems

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds

Key Features

• Botanical name: Helianthus annuus

• Variety: 'Red Sun'

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 150–180 cm tall, 40–60 cm spread

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

• Flowering period: July–September

Ideal For

• Bold border plantings

• Wildlife and pollinator-friendly gardens

• Cut flower arrangements

• Cottage gardens and tall seasonal screens

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 risk has passed

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

3. Transplanting: Thin or transplant seedlings to 45 cm apart

4. Care: Provide support in windy areas; water during dry spells.

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.

Cosmos ‘Candy Stripe’ – Seeds

(Cosmos bipinnatus)

Cosmos ‘Candy Stripe’ is an elegant annual with delicate, bicolor flowers in white with soft pink stripes. Its tall, airy stems make it perfect for borders, wildflower meadows, and cut flowers. Easy to grow, long-flowering, and attractive to pollinators, it adds a charming, whimsical touch to any garden.

Why Grow Cosmos ‘Candy Stripe’?

• White flowers with soft pink stripes

• Tall, airy stems

• Long-flowering and easy to grow

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Annual

• Height: 100–150 cm

• Flowers: Summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Borders, wildflower gardens, and meadows

• Cut flowers and floral arrangements

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Low-maintenance colorful displays

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: 25–30 cm apart

• Care: Moderate watering; remove weeds and deadhead for continuous blooms

French Marigold ‘Dandy Stripe’ – Seeds (Tagetes patula nana)

French Marigold ‘Dandy Stripe’ (Tagetes patula nana) is a charming dwarf annual featuring vibrant, striped blooms in shades of gold, orange, and red. Its compact, bushy habit makes it ideal for borders, containers, and bedding schemes, producing a cheerful display from early summer until the first frost. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, this variety also attracts pollinators and can help repel garden pests naturally.

Why Grow "Dandy Stripe"

• Bright, striped blooms in gold, orange, and red

• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn

• Compact, bushy, and low-maintenance

• Attracts pollinators and repels certain pests

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Tagetes patula nana)

• Height: 20–30 cm

• Flowering: Early summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, containers, bedding, pollinator-friendly gardens

Ideal For

• Adding cheerful color to small spaces and borders

• Container and window box planting

• Natural pest control in vegetable or flower gardens

• Pollinator-friendly garden designs

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost danger has passed

• Germination: 7–14 days at 20°C

• Thin/space seedlings: 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil in full sun

English Daisy 'Pomponette' Mixed Seeds (Bellis perennis)

The English Daisy ‘Pomponette’ is a charming cottage garden favorite, loved for its dense pompon-like blooms in shades of red, pink, and white. Compact and cheerful, these dainty flowers create vibrant color displays in borders, pots, and spring bedding schemes. Their long flowering period and old-fashioned charm make them a must-have for any traditional garden.

What Makes It Special

• Produces unique pompon-style blooms in bright mixed colors

• Hardy, compact, and reliable for early spring displays

• A classic cottage garden flower with enduring charm

• Excellent for edging, borders, and containers

Key Features

• Botanical name: Bellis perennis

• Variety: Pomponette Mixed

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

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

• Flowering period: Early spring to early summer

• Lifespan: Perennial, often grown as a biennial

Ideal For

• Cottage and traditional gardens

• Spring bedding displays with tulips and primroses

• Pots, containers, and window boxes

• Low-growing borders and edging

• Naturalizing in lawns or meadow-style gardens

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow: Late spring to mid-summer (May–July) for flowering the following spring.

2. How to sow:

   • Sow thinly on the surface of moist seed compost and press lightly.

   • Do not cover, as seeds need light to germinate.

   • Keep moist at 15–20°C. Germination takes 14–28 days.

3. Transplant/Thin: Move seedlings to individual pots or trays when large enough. Plant outdoors 15–20 cm apart.

4. Care: Remove faded blooms to prolong flowering. Protect from harsh frost in the first year.

Rocket Larkspur Mix – Seeds (Delphinium consolida)

The Rocket Larkspur Mix is a tall, elegant annual producing spires of delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, lavender, and white. Perfect for cottage gardens, borders, and cutting gardens, these plants bring vertical interest and charm while also providing excellent flowers for fresh or dried arrangements.

What Makes It Special

• Tall, graceful flower spikes with a mix of soft, vibrant colors

• Long-lasting blooms suitable for cutting

• Cottage garden favorite with classic charm

• Attracts pollinators and adds vertical interest

Key Features

• Botanical name: Delphinium consolida

• Variety: Rocket Larkspur Mix

• Seed count: Approx. 300 seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 75–120 cm tall, 25–35 cm spread

• Position: Full sun, fertile, well-drained soil

• Flowering period: Early to late summer

Ideal For

• Cottage gardens and classic borders

• Cutting gardens for fresh or dried flowers

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Adding vertical accents in mixed beds

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow: March–May or August–September outdoors

2. How to sow:

   • Scatter seeds thinly on prepared soil

   • Cover lightly with soil

   • Germination: 14–28 days

3. After germination:

   • Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm apart

   • Stake taller plants if grown in exposed sites

Sweet Pea 'Ripple' Mixed – Seeds

(Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet Pea 'Ripple' Mixed is a delightful climbing annual featuring a mix of soft pastel blooms in pinks, creams, and lavenders with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. Its long, sturdy stems are ideal for cutting, while its vigorous climbing habit makes it perfect for trellises, fences, and arches. A must-have for adding vertical interest, colour, and scent to summer gardens.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual

• Height: 180–240 cm (climber)

• Flowering: June–September

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

• Uses: Trellises, fences, arches, cut flowers

Ideal For

• Vertical garden displays

• Cut flower arrangements

• Cottage-style gardens

• Fragrant garden corners

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: January–April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20°C

• Plant out after last frost, spacing 20–30 cm

• Provide climbing support

• Regular deadheading encourages more blooms

Sweet Pea Old Spice ‘Starry Nights’ Seeds (Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet Pea ‘Starry Nights’ is an heirloom Old Spice variety prized for its fragrant, deep purple blooms speckled with lighter lilac spots, evoking a night sky full of stars. This climbing sweet pea is heat-tolerant, long-flowering, and perfect for trellises, arches, or cut flower arrangements that fill the garden with scent and color.

Why Grow 'Starry Nights'

• Rich, deep purple flowers with lilac “stars”

• Exceptionally fragrant and heat-tolerant

• Long stems ideal for cutting and bouquets

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual

• Height: 180–240 cm (climber)

• Flowering: June–September

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Trellises, fences, arches, cut flowers

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: January–April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May in prepared soil

• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20°C

• Plant out after frost, spacing 20–30 cm apart

• Provide climbing support

• Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pink Cornflower 'Tom Pouce Pink' – Seeds

(Centaurea cyanus)

Pink Cornflower 'Tom Pouce Pink' is a charming twist on the classic wildflower, offering soft pink, frilly blooms that brighten any garden. Easy to grow and rich in nectar, this variety attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while providing long-lasting cut flowers with a delicate cottage garden appeal.

Why Grow Pink Cornflower 'Tom Pouce Pink'?

• Rare, pastel-pink form of the traditional cornflower

• Pollinator-friendly & easy to grow

• Excellent as cut flowers or for naturalizing

• Hardy and adaptable in a range of soils

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual

• Height: 60–80 cm

• Blooms: June–September

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Light, well-drained soil

Ideal For

• Wildflower & pollinator gardens

• Cottage-style plantings

• Borders & meadows

• Fresh cut flower arrangements

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow directly into prepared soil, covering lightly

• Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers