I know you've heard them ... Those seed packages whispering their siren-song promise of summer blooms. Do you turn away, thinking that starting flowers from seed is just too much trouble?
Direct sowing – a seeding method in which seeds are sown directly into prepared soil – will be familiar to vegetable gardeners. Leaf lettuce, carrots, beets, peas and beans are all sown right into prepared garden plots. There they grow on until picking time. Some maintenance required, of course.
Among annual flowers, there are many varieties that are happy – and even prefer – to be sown directly into warm, weed-free soil, provided the risk of frost has passed. Some plants, like poppies or morning glories, don't like to be disturbed once they have germinated; they grow best if seeded directly into the bed where they will grow through the season.
It sounds simple, doesn't it? And it is! Although it's best to refer to the specific sowing directions on the seed packet. For instance, some seeds require light to germinate. In this case, gently press seeds into the soil to ensure they make contact and will not wash away.
Water gently and mark the spot – it's easy to forget what beauties you have planted. Be sure to keep the soil moist until the seed germinates. Tender seedlings have little root support and can dry out very quickly.
Here is a small collection of flowers that sing to me. They promise to grow well in any sunny garden.
Direct sowing – a seeding method in which seeds are sown directly into prepared soil – will be familiar to vegetable gardeners. Leaf lettuce, carrots, beets, peas and beans are all sown right into prepared garden plots. There they grow on until picking time. Some maintenance required, of course.
Among annual flowers, there are many varieties that are happy – and even prefer – to be sown directly into warm, weed-free soil, provided the risk of frost has passed. Some plants, like poppies or morning glories, don't like to be disturbed once they have germinated; they grow best if seeded directly into the bed where they will grow through the season.
It sounds simple, doesn't it? And it is! Although it's best to refer to the specific sowing directions on the seed packet. For instance, some seeds require light to germinate. In this case, gently press seeds into the soil to ensure they make contact and will not wash away.
Water gently and mark the spot – it's easy to forget what beauties you have planted. Be sure to keep the soil moist until the seed germinates. Tender seedlings have little root support and can dry out very quickly.
Here is a small collection of flowers that sing to me. They promise to grow well in any sunny garden.
Nigella damascena 'Mulberry Rose' (Love-in-a-Mist)
All cultivars of Nigella – or Love-in-a-Mist – are delightful. They are excellent cut flowers and their unusual seed pods can be enjoyed in dried bouquets. 'Mulberry Rose' grows 60 cm and produces large 5 cm double blooms in shades of rose and pink. Exquisite in a mass planting. Hardy in Zone 2. Also look for Nigella hispanica 'African Bride' – picture pure white flowers with black centres and dark purple seed pods. Delightful.
Now turn your head for cosmos.
Now turn your head for cosmos.
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Antiquity' (Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster)
Originating from Mexico, cosmos is the perfect direct-sow flower for the novice. Most cultivars are tall (90 cm) and add height to any cottage garden planting. At 60 cm, the shorter varieties like 'Sonata' and 'Antiquity' blend more easily into a mixed flower bed. They are excellent for containers and make a wonderful cut flower. If you have space, plant lots.
'Antiquity' starts out dark in colour and gradually softens in tone. Cosmos bloom early and continue to produce flowers into September. They self-seed quite readily too. Take a minute to admire other cosmos cultivars.
For delicate fragrance, you can't beat easy-to-grow nasturtiums.
'Antiquity' starts out dark in colour and gradually softens in tone. Cosmos bloom early and continue to produce flowers into September. They self-seed quite readily too. Take a minute to admire other cosmos cultivars.
For delicate fragrance, you can't beat easy-to-grow nasturtiums.
Tropaeolum minus 'Peach Melba' (Nasturtium)
Beautiful in beds and containers, nasturtiums are an old-fashioned flower that are making a comeback as a plant in the edible landscape. Buds, blossoms and new leaves are all edible. Their peppery taste is wonderful in salads. They are good in stir-fry dishes too.
There are two types of nasturiums: Tropaeolum majus is a trailing type that can be trained to climb. Tropaeolum minus is a bush type with a mounding habit. Nasturtiums flower best in full sun, but still grow well in partly shaded locations. They love cool, damp, well-drained soil that is not too rich. If grown in rich compost or soil amended with manure, they will tend to produce lots of leaves and fewer blooms.
New cultivars such as 'Peach Melba' are subtle in tone, but if you want more colour, consider deep red 'Empress of India' which is a semi-bush type or the dwarf 'Alaska Mix' with its variegated leaves.
Think sunflowers are just for kids?
There are two types of nasturiums: Tropaeolum majus is a trailing type that can be trained to climb. Tropaeolum minus is a bush type with a mounding habit. Nasturtiums flower best in full sun, but still grow well in partly shaded locations. They love cool, damp, well-drained soil that is not too rich. If grown in rich compost or soil amended with manure, they will tend to produce lots of leaves and fewer blooms.
New cultivars such as 'Peach Melba' are subtle in tone, but if you want more colour, consider deep red 'Empress of India' which is a semi-bush type or the dwarf 'Alaska Mix' with its variegated leaves.
Think sunflowers are just for kids?
Helianthus annuus 'Peach Passion'' (Sunflower)
Sunflowers make a dramatic addition to the garden and the bouquet. Most sunflowers produce abundant pollen, but many pollenless varieties have been developed for cutting, making them tidier to bring indoors. "Peach Passion' is pollenless. It produces 10-15 cm blooms with a peachy glow in 70-80 days.
Other sunflower varieties for cutting include 'Strawberry Blonde' with its unusual burgundy petals with light tips, and the tawny-coloured 'Procut Bicolor'. Double-flowered forms have fluffy disk flowers in their centres, rather than a dark smooth disk. Double varieties such as 'Teddy Bear' and the extra tall 'Giant Sungold' do produce pollen and seeds.
Wondering about height? Have a look at this handy height comparison chart.
Ah, and then there are poppies ... Papaver somniferum.
Other sunflower varieties for cutting include 'Strawberry Blonde' with its unusual burgundy petals with light tips, and the tawny-coloured 'Procut Bicolor'. Double-flowered forms have fluffy disk flowers in their centres, rather than a dark smooth disk. Double varieties such as 'Teddy Bear' and the extra tall 'Giant Sungold' do produce pollen and seeds.
Wondering about height? Have a look at this handy height comparison chart.
Ah, and then there are poppies ... Papaver somniferum.
Papaver somniferum 'Lauren's Grape' (Opium poppy)
Poppies are considered a self-seeding annual. Once established, they will self-sow most generously. Unwanted plants are easily weeded out and thinning will give plants the space they need to grow. But really, their "volunteerism" is part of poppies' charm. Grow in well-drained soil in sun. No need to fertilize. Water plants moderately in hot, dry weather.
Who could resist the rich shade of purple in 'Lauren's Grape'? These 60-90 cm sweeties are definitely going into my garden. Which flowers are singing to you?
Who could resist the rich shade of purple in 'Lauren's Grape'? These 60-90 cm sweeties are definitely going into my garden. Which flowers are singing to you?
"Sow a seed and the earth will yield you a flower." - Khalil Gibran
Photo credits:
Seed packet Botanical Interests
Nigella damascena 'Mulberry Rose' (Love-in-a-Mist) Diana's mooie moestuin
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Antiquity' (Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster) Swallowtail Garden Seeds
Tropaeolum minus 'Peach Melba' (Nasturtium) Kerneliv, DK
Helianthus annuus 'Peach Passion'' (Sunflower) Johnny's Selected Seeds
Papaver somniferum 'Lauren's Grape' (Opium poppy) Crocus, UK
