Sow in October

Dahlia dwarf ‘Starlight’ – Seeds

(Dahlia variabilis)

The Dahlia dwarf ‘Starlight’ is a charming compact variety producing an abundance of single, star-shaped blooms in shades of red, pink, and white, often with contrasting centers. With its bushy, dwarf growth habit, this dahlia is ideal for containers, borders, bedding schemes, and patio displays. A long-flowering annual, it brings a burst of color from mid-summer until the first frost.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 25–35 cm

• Spread: 25–30 cm

• Flowering: July–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Containers, pots, and patio displays

• Bedding and border plantings

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Compact summer color displays

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow depth: 0.5 cm, cover lightly with soil

• Transplant: Harden off and plant outdoors after last frost, spacing 25–30 cm apart

• Care: Water regularly, deadhead faded blooms to prolong flowering

Morning Glory Mix Seeds (Ipomoea tricolor)

Morning Glory Mix is a vibrant climbing annual featuring trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of colors, including blue, pink, purple, and white. Its rapid growth and twining habit make it perfect for trellises, fences, arches, and containers. Loved for its colorful display and long flowering season, it adds vertical charm to any garden.

What Makes It Special

• Trumpet-shaped blooms in multiple colors for a dynamic display

• Fast-growing climber ideal for vertical gardening

• Long-flowering from summer to autumn

• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Botanical name: Ipomoea tricolor

• Variety: Mix

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: Climbs 2–3 m; spread depends on support

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

• Flowering period: July–October

Ideal For

• Trellises, fences, pergolas, and arches

• Containers with support for vertical growth

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Adding vibrant color to summer and autumn garden spaces

Sowing Instructions

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

2. How to sow:

   • Scarify or soak seeds overnight for faster germination

   • Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep in pots or seed trays

   • Germination occurs in 7–14 days at 20–25°C

3. Transplanting: Plant outdoors with support after frost

4. Care: Water moderately; provide trellis or support; pinch tips for bushier growth

Flowering Tobacco ‘Lime Green’ – Seeds

(Nicotiana alata)

Flowering Tobacco ‘Lime Green’ brings a refreshing splash of vibrant chartreuse-green to garden beds and containers. Its trumpet-shaped blooms are long-lasting, highly fragrant in the evening, and irresistible to moths and other night pollinators. The unique lime-green color makes it a standout companion for bold or dark-hued flowers.

Why Grow Flowering Tobacco ‘Lime Green’?

• Unusual lime-green trumpet flowers

• Strong evening fragrance

• Attracts pollinators, especially moths

• Provides color contrast in borders & containers

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Flowers: June–October

• Position: Full sun or part shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Evening-scented gardens

• Mixed borders & cottage gardens

• Containers & patio displays

• Companion planting with bold colors

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: Feb–April on the surface of moist compost, do not cover (light aids germination)

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22°C

• Harden off & plant out after frost

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Deadhead to encourage more blooms

🌸 Ageratum mexicanum Floss Flower ‘Tall Red Flint’ – Tall Ageratum with Rich Red Fluffy Blooms

‘Tall Red Flint’ is a striking tall-growing floss flower (ageratum) variety producing dense clusters of soft, fluffy flowers in deep red to crimson tones. Held on strong, upright stems, the blooms create bold blocks of colour throughout summer and into early autumn. Unlike compact bedding ageratums, this variety offers extra height, making it ideal for borders, cutting gardens, mixed beds, and pollinator-friendly plantings.

Key Features

● Fluffy, pom-pom–like flowers in rich red shades
● Taller habit than standard ageratum varieties
● Long flowering season from summer to autumn
● Excellent for borders and cut flowers
● Easy to grow and very reliable

How to Sow & Grow Floss Flower ‘Tall Red Flint’ (UK)

Sow indoors: II–IV (February–April)
Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) after last frost
Direct outdoors: Not recommended
Flowering: VI–IX (June–September)
Life cycle: Annual
Germination temperature: 20–22 °C (68–72 °F)
Average germ time: 7–14 days
Depth: Surface sow – do not cover; press gently into soil (requires light)
Light required: Yes
Moisture: Moderate
Environment: Full sun (tolerates light shade)
Soil type: Fertile, well-drained soil
Plant spacing: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Height: 50–70 cm (20–28 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Keep seedlings warm and well-lit during early growth.
● Pinch young plants to encourage bushier growth.
● Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering.
● Performs best in warm, sheltered positions.
● Excellent colour contrast in mixed borders.

Special Features

● Unusual tall form of floss flower
● Intense red colouring rare in ageratum
● Attractive to bees and other pollinators

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

Poppy Shirley Double Mix – Seeds

(Papaver rhoeas)

Poppy Shirley Double Mix is a charming annual that produces masses of fully double, ruffled blooms in soft pastel shades of pink, coral, and white. Known for its delicate, romantic appearance, this variety adds a touch of elegance to cottage gardens, borders, and wildflower meadows. Long-lasting and easy to grow, it also makes a delightful cut flower.

Why Grow Poppy Shirley Double Mix?

• Fully double, ruffled blooms in soft pastel colors

• Hardy and easy to grow annual

• Ideal for naturalistic planting or cut flowers

• Attracts pollinators, bees, and butterflies

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual

• Height: 50–70 cm

• Flowers: Late spring to summer

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Cottage gardens and wildflower borders

• Cutting gardens for bouquets

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Naturalized planting schemes

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–May or September–October directly in prepared soil

• Lightly cover seeds and keep soil moist

• Germination: 14–21 days

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart

• Care: Deadhead to extend flowering or allow self-seeding for next season

French Marigold Double Spanish Brocade – 300 Seeds (Tagetes patula nana)

French Marigold Double Spanish Brocade (Tagetes patula nana) produces abundant, vibrant double blooms in fiery shades of orange and gold. This compact, low-growing annual is perfect for borders, containers, and mass plantings. Easy to grow, long-flowering, and great for attracting pollinators, it adds bright color to any garden.

Why Grow "Double Spanish Brocade"

• Bold, double blooms in vivid orange and gold

• Compact, low-growing habit ideal for borders and containers

• Long-flowering, summer to autumn

• Attracts bees and butterflies

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Tagetes patula nana)

• Height: 20–30 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, containers, mass plantings, pollinator gardens

Ideal For

• Colorful garden borders

• Pots and patio containers

• Pollinator-friendly garden spaces

• Mass planting displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May after last frost

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

• Deadhead to prolong flowering

Japanese Morning Glory 'Kikyo Zaki Mix' – Seeds

(Ipomoea nil)

The Japanese Morning Glory 'Kikyo Zaki Mix' is a traditional and highly prized variety, renowned in Japanese horticulture for its uniquely ruffled, star-shaped blooms. This climbing annual produces an extraordinary mix of deep purples, blues, pinks, and whites, each with striking petal forms that set them apart from common morning glories. The lush green foliage and vigorous growth make it a spectacular choice for trellises, fences, or balcony planters.

Key Features

• Type: Annual climber

• Height: 2–3 m

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowering: July–October

• Position: Full sun / partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Training up fences, arches, or trellises

• Balcony or patio containers with supports

• Creating a vertical display of colour

• Collectors of rare Japanese heirloom flowers

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: May–June after last frost

• Nick or soak seeds for 12–24 hours before sowing to aid germination

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Plant spacing: 30–40 cm

• Requires support to climb

• Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade

Dwarf Zinnia 'Pepito' Mix – Seeds

(Zinnia elegans)

Dwarf Zinnia 'Pepito' Mix is a charming, compact annual that produces an abundance of small, vibrant blooms in a lively mix of colours, including reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows. Perfect for borders, rockeries, and containers, its dense, bushy growth ensures a long season of continuous flowering. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, this variety also attracts pollinators, adding life and colour to any garden.

Key Features

• Type: Half-hardy annual

• Height: 20–30 cm

• Spread: 25–35 cm

• Flowering: June–October

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

Ideal For

• Rockeries and border edging

• Container planting

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Summer floral displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April at 18–22°C

• Sow outdoors: May, after last frost

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Thin or transplant to 20–25 cm spacing

• Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering