Sow in October

Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest' – Seeds (Rudbeckia hirta)

Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest' is a striking variety of Black-Eyed Susan with warm, fiery shades of red, bronze, orange, and golden yellow – like the colors of a glowing autumn woodland. Its daisy-like flowers with dark centers bloom generously over summer and early autumn, creating a bold display that attracts bees and butterflies.

What Makes It Special

• Brilliant mix of autumn-toned blooms

• Long flowering season with continuous color

• Pollinator-friendly, attracting bees and butterflies

• Excellent for cutting, borders, and containers

Key Features

• Botanical name: Rudbeckia hirta

• Common name: Black-Eyed Susan

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 45–60 cm tall, bushy habit

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

• Flowering period: June–October

Ideal For

• Cottage gardens and wildlife-friendly borders

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Container displays

• Cut flower arrangements

Sowing Instructions

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

2. How to sow:

   • Sow thinly on the surface of moist compost, press lightly, and cover very lightly with fine compost or vermiculite

   • Maintain 18–22°C; germination takes 7–21 days

3. Transplanting: Prick out seedlings when large enough; plant outdoors after frost

4. Care: Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering. Water well in dry spells.

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

Zinnia 'Chippendale Daisy' – Seeds

(Zinnia haageana)

The Zinnia 'Chippendale Daisy' is a vibrant, long-blooming annual that produces an abundance of cheerful, daisy-like flowers in warm shades of red, orange, and golden yellow, often with contrasting centers. Compact and robust, this variety is excellent for adding bold splashes of colour to borders, flower beds, and containers. Highly attractive to bees and butterflies, it’s a perfect choice for pollinator-friendly gardens.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Spread: 25–35 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Cottage and cutting gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Beds, borders, and pots

• Summer floral displays

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow outdoors: May, after frost risk has passed

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Transplant/Thin: 25–30 cm apart

• Remove spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming

Zinnia 'Burpeeana Giants Mix' – Seeds

(Zinnia elegans)

Zinnia 'Burpeeana Giants Mix' is a spectacular blend of bold, fully double blooms reaching up to 12–15 cm across. This mix features an array of dazzling colours, from vibrant reds, pinks, and oranges to golden yellows and whites. The tall, sturdy plants make a striking display in the garden and provide excellent cut flowers. Heat-loving and easy to grow, these zinnias are perfect for a summer of nonstop colour.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 75–100 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowering: July–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Cottage gardens

• Bold, colourful borders

• Summer bedding displays

• Cut flower gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April at 18–22°C

• Sow outdoors: May, after frost risk has passed

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Transplant/Thin: 30–40 cm apart

• Remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers

Zinnia 'Persian Carpet' Mixed – Seeds

(Zinnia haageana)

Zinnia 'Persian Carpet' is a dazzling mix of small, double and semi-double blooms in rich tapestry shades of gold, burgundy, cream, and mahogany, often with striking bicolor patterns. Compact and floriferous, these zinnias provide months of vibrant color and thrive in sunny spots with minimal care.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 30–45 cm

• Spread: 25–30 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Bedding displays

• Containers and pots

• Cutting gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April at 18–22°C

• Sow outdoors: May–June directly after frost

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Thin or transplant to 25–30 cm spacing

• Deadhead regularly to extend flowering season

Zinnia 'Chippendale Daisy' – Seeds

(Zinnia haageana)

The Zinnia 'Chippendale Daisy' is a vibrant, long-blooming annual that produces an abundance of cheerful, daisy-like flowers in warm shades of red, orange, and golden yellow, often with contrasting centers. Compact and robust, this variety is excellent for adding bold splashes of colour to borders, flower beds, and containers. Highly attractive to bees and butterflies, it’s a perfect choice for pollinator-friendly gardens.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Spread: 25–35 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Cottage and cutting gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Beds, borders, and pots

• Summer floral displays

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow outdoors: May, after frost risk has passed

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Transplant/Thin: 25–30 cm apart

• Remove spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming

Wax Begonia Dwarf Mix – Seeds (Begonia semperflorens)

Wax Begonia Dwarf Mix is a compact, easy-to-grow annual that delivers masses of blooms in shades of red, pink, and white. With glossy green foliage and long-lasting flowers, it thrives in beds, borders, or containers. Heat- and drought-tolerant, it’s the perfect choice for effortless summer color.

Why Grow "Wax Begonia Dwarf Mix"

• Continuous blooms in vibrant shades

• Compact, low-maintenance growth

• Tolerant of heat and dry conditions

• Perfect for edging and containers

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual (Begonia semperflorens)

• Height: 15–25 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Uses: Bedding, edging, patio pots, containers

Ideal For

• Borders and edging

• Patio containers and window boxes

• Low-maintenance summer planting

• Adding vibrant color to small spaces

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: January–March (surface sow, do not cover)

• Germination: 14–21 days at 20–24°C

• Transplant seedlings to 20 cm spacing

• Harden off and plant outdoors after frost

• Pinch tips to encourage bushy growth

Snapdragon 'Trumpet Serenade' – Seeds (Antirrhinum majus)

A striking variety of snapdragon with tall, trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich mix of colors. Long-flowering and versatile, 'Trumpet Serenade' adds height, structure, and vibrant color to summer borders and cutting gardens. Beloved by pollinators, it brings life and charm to any display.

Why Grow Snapdragon 'Trumpet Serenade'?

• Showy, trumpet-like blooms in mixed colors

• Long flowering season

• Excellent as a cut flower

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 60–75 cm

• Flowers: Summer into early autumn

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Use: Borders, cut flowers, cottage gardens, containers

Ideal For

• Adding vertical color to mixed borders

• Cutting for fresh bouquets

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Cottage-style and wildlife gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April, lightly pressing seeds into moist compost (do not cover, needs light to germinate)

• Germination: 10–21 days at 18–21°C

• Transplant outdoors after frost, spacing 25 cm apart

• Flowers: June–October

Tip: Pinch out young plants to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.

Rose Mallow Mix Seeds (Lavatera trimestris)

Rose Mallow Mix is an easy-to-grow annual producing large, showy, hibiscus-like flowers in shades of pink, rose, and white. Its upright, bushy habit makes it perfect for garden beds, borders, and cottage gardens. Loved for its long flowering season and ability to attract pollinators, it adds a splash of color and elegance to any garden.

What Makes It Special

• Large, hibiscus-like blooms in a mix of pink, rose, and white

• Long-flowering, adding color from summer to autumn

• Compact, bushy growth habit suitable for mixed plantings

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Key Features

• Botanical name: Lavatera trimestris

• Variety: Mix

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 60–100 cm tall, 30–50 cm spread

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

• Flowering period: June–October

Ideal For

• Borders and cottage garden beds

• Containers and patio displays

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Cutting gardens for fresh floral arrangements

Sowing Instructions

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

2. How to sow:

   • Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep in seed trays or pots

   • Germination occurs in 10–14 days at 18–22°C

3. Transplanting: Plant seedlings outdoors 30–50 cm apart after frost risk has passed

4. Care: Water moderately; deadhead regularly to prolong flowering