Packet Content (approx.): 20

Tall strong stems bearing chocolate maroon flowers, becoming almost 'black' towards the centre. This is a unique variety creating an impressive impact against most backgrounds. Flowers mid to late summer. Height 5ft.

Sow Hollyhock seed from February to July on the surface of a good seed compost, and cover with a light sprinkling of compost of vermiculite. Place in a propagator at a temperature of 15-21C (59-70F) or seal the seed tray inside a polythene bag until after germination, which usually takes 14- 21 days. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination.

 

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3") pots and grow on in cooler conditions. When Hollyhock plants are well grown and all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting outdoors. Grow Hollyhocks in full sun in any fertile, well drained soil. Choose a position that is sheltered from strong winds. Space hollyhock plants at least 60cm (24") apart to improve air circulation and help prevent hollyhock rust.

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.
Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content Size (approx.): 10 

This Echinacea offers growers a more compact habit with increased branching and flowering. It is tough and beautiful with unbeatable heat and drought tolerance, whilst attracting a variety of wildlife with its eyecatching appeal.

Hardy Perennial

An improved strain of this popular American wildflower! These superb coneflowers form low growing clumps of leaves from which the sturdy flower stems launch upwards with their large, rose-pink daisies. Unlike many varieties, the petals of Echinacea purpurea 'Primadonna' radiate outwards instead of downwards from a deep orange-brown central cone. With a compact, branching habit, this fabulous variety makes a lovely addition to borders and wildlife gardens where it will attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. Height: 85cm (33"). Spread: 45cm (18").

• Ideal For: Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden and Borders.

• Flowering Period: July, August, September

• Position: full sun

• Hardiness: Hardy

Sow :January-June for flowering in pot from July onwards, limited flowering without vernalization, during with vernalization full flowering in next year

Sowing method: 2-3 seeds per plug

Germination: 10-14 days at 68-72 °F (20-22 °C). Supplemental lighting during germination speeds germination and uniformity of emergence. Keep seedlings uniformly moist, but do not over water

Growing On: Transplant seedlings into packs, 4" (10 cm) or 1.0 gallon containers (2-3 plants) when the 3rd pair of true leaves appears. Once plants have begun rooting out, grow on at temperatures of 50-55 °F (10-13 °C). Fertilize at 100-200 ppm calcium nitrate in a balanced formula on a weekly basis. For full gallon containers plant 3-5 plugs per pot.

Media: Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate, pH: 6.0-6.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² slow release fertilizer.

Temperature: Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. At mid December the plants start to grow for 10-12 weeks at 15-18 °C.

Fertilization: High fertilization levels are required.

Suitable for the Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden, Borders, allotments and containers.
Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Rosa glauca is an exceptionally beautiful rose, bearing small clusters of single, pink flowers with pale pink centres in summer, followed by round, red hips in autumn. Its a vigorous, arching species ? perfect for growing at the back of a border or training as an informal flowering hedge. Its bluish-grey leaves and ornamental rose hips are excellent in flower arranging.

This rose is one of the only species worth growing from seed, all aspects being desirable. Thornless, purple-red stems of attractive grey leaves, and pale-centred, cerise pink flowers age to bunches of dark red hips. Superb as a bush, but magnificent as a standard.

Key Information

For best results grow Rosa glauca in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade.

Hardy Perennial

An improved strain of this popular American wildflower! These superb coneflowers form low growing clumps of leaves from which the sturdy flower stems launch upwards with their large, rose-pink daisies. Unlike many varieties, the petals of Echinacea purpurea 'Primadonna' radiate outwards instead of downwards from a deep orange-brown central cone. With a compact, branching habit, this fabulous variety makes a lovely addition to borders and wildlife gardens where it will attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. Height: 85cm (33"). Spread: 45cm (18").

• Ideal For: Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden and Borders.

• Flowering Period: July, August, September

• Position: full sun

• Hardiness: Hardy

Sow :January-June for flowering in pot from July onwards, limited flowering without vernalization, during with vernalization full flowering in next year

Sowing method: 2-3 seeds per plug

Germination: 10-14 days at 68-72 °F (20-22 °C). Supplemental lighting during germination speeds germination and uniformity of emergence. Keep seedlings uniformly moist, but do not over water

Growing On: Transplant seedlings into packs, 4" (10 cm) or 1.0 gallon containers (2-3 plants) when the 3rd pair of true leaves appears. Once plants have begun rooting out, grow on at temperatures of 50-55 °F (10-13 °C). Fertilize at 100-200 ppm calcium nitrate in a balanced formula on a weekly basis. For full gallon containers plant 3-5 plugs per pot.

Media: Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate, pH: 6.0-6.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² slow release fertilizer.

Temperature: Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. At mid December the plants start to grow for 10-12 weeks at 15-18 °C.

Fertilization: High fertilization levels are required.

Suitable for the Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden, Borders, allotments and containers.
Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

• Family: Campanulaceae
• Plant Classification: Hardy climber, Hardy perennial
• Height (approx.): 45-90cm

This rarely seen scrambling/climbing plant has the the most exquisite, nodding, bell-shaped flowers in palest ice blue, with the bell-shaped blossoms being veined darker blue on the inside, and sumptous black, orange and maroon-painted centres. It prefers a well-drained sunny or semi-shaded spot in moist soil if possible and will happily scramble through shrubs or undergrowth.

• Thrive in partial shade but will also perform well in either deeper shade or sun.
• Prefer a moist but well drained soil and are particularly good on alkaline soils.
• Being mixed varieties, flowers can appear from late winter into spring.
• Grow to a height of between 1- 3 feet (45 - 90 cm).

SOWING ADVICE

Seeds can be sown at any time but are best sown in winter or early spring to benefit from a cold spell in the wet compost to break their dormancy. We advise covering seeds very thinly with sand or fine grit to about the depth of the seed size. If the seeds do not come up within 6 to 12 weeks the damp seed tray can be given cold treatment in a fridge for about four weeks. They may still take very many months to appear, so please never discard the pot or tray. Plant out where it can scramble or climb through shrubs.

Suitable for the Garden, vegetable garden, allotments, borders and containers. 

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content (approx.): 10

• Family: Ranunculaceae
• Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
• Height (approx.): 1-2ft

Helleborus Prize Winners is a wide and generous selection from all of the hellebores varieties and species on our list. All colours are included from white and yellows to deepest purples and spotted and mottled forms.

An inexpensive way to start a collection of these attractive favourites.

Planted en masse this carefully mixed selection of varieties and cultivars is sure to please.

Mainly evergreen in habit this lovely selection are perfect for ground cover - and with their late winter / early spring flowering will cheer up any garden. Flower colours include whites, yellows to purples - and even spotted and mottled forms.

Recommended by the RHS to be an excellent attractant and nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects.

• Thrive in partial shade but will also perform well in either deeper shade or sun.
• Prefer a moist but well drained soil and are particularly good on alkaline soils.
• Being mixed varieties, flowers can appear from late winter into spring.
• Grow to a height of between 1- 2 feet (30 - 60 cm).

Sowing: Sow these seeds IMMEDIATELY you receive them, WHENEVER THIS MAY BE! They need SEVERAL MONTHS in damp compost, (NOT DRY IN A FRIDGE) before they will germinate as the season naturally warms, usually between January and March in the Northern Hemisphere, regardless of when they are sown. Keep the seed tray in a cold place, and check every few weeks. They are COLD germinators! Never, ever, use any artificial heat as this will prevent them from germinating, and ultimately kill them! Keep ungerminated seed pots for at least two years!

Suitable for the Garden, vegetable garden, allotments, borders and containers. 

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content (approx.): 10

• Family: Ranunculaceae
• Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
• Height (approx.): 1-2ft

Helleborus Orientalis Hellen Ballard's is a wide and generous selection from all of the hellebores varieties and species on our list. All colours are included from white and yellows to deepest purples and spotted and mottled forms.

An inexpensive way to start a collection of these attractive favourites.

Planted en masse this carefully mixed selection of varieties and cultivars is sure to please.

Mainly evergreen in habit this lovely selection are perfect for ground cover - and with their late winter / early spring flowering will cheer up any garden. Flower colours include whites, yellows to purples - and even spotted and mottled forms.

Recommended by the RHS to be an excellent attractant and nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects.

• Thrive in partial shade but will also perform well in either deeper shade or sun.
• Prefer a moist but well drained soil and are particularly good on alkaline soils.
• Being mixed varieties, flowers can appear from late winter into spring.
• Grow to a height of between 1- 2 feet (30 - 60 cm).

Sowing: Sow these seeds IMMEDIATELY you receive them, WHENEVER THIS MAY BE! They need SEVERAL MONTHS in damp compost, (NOT DRY IN A FRIDGE) before they will germinate as the season naturally warms, usually between January and March in the Northern Hemisphere, regardless of when they are sown. Keep the seed tray in a cold place, and check every few weeks. They are COLD germinators! Never, ever, use any artificial heat as this will prevent them from germinating, and ultimately kill them! Keep ungerminated seed pots for at least two years!

Suitable for the Garden, vegetable garden, allotments, borders and containers. 

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Possibly the tallest of all of the "Angels' Fishing Rods". Flared, deep pink bells hang from long, stout arching stems. After many years, will make a huge spreading clump. Seed from plants grown from wild-collected seed.

SOWING ADVICE

Sow at any time 5mm deep in a warm spot outside or in a propagator at between 15 and 20 degrees C. Germination takes up to four months. Grow on individual grass-like seedlings in small pots. Keep frost-free and moist the first winter as dieramas are evergreen plants, and should be kept growing when young. Plant out young plants the following spring. Dieramas can be promiscuous, pollinating easily with other species and varieties. These seeds may produce some flower colours differing from the parent plants.

Probably the most impressive of all red-hot-pokers. Massive, wide, heavy leaves make a solid, agave-like rosette from which arise very thick stemmed flower-spikes of yellow and orange. A stunning plant which improves with age.

For best results, sow immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. We sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination, as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, often waiting for natural spring germination, hence giving them a full season of growth.

Lilac-blue 'dandelion' flowers are produced from June until August on strong, branching stems carrying shiny, lettuce-like leaves. Undoubtedly the most prominent of all "milk thistles", and soundly hardy and perennial. "A useful high plant in big beds". (G.S.T.)

SOWING ADVICE

For best results, sow immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. We sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination, as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, often waiting for natural spring germination, hence giving them a full season of growth.