Achillea
Commonly known as yarrow,Achilleais a resilient perennial herb (although we tend not to treat it as such) with fern-like foliage and clusters of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, yellow, or red. Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, it thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Ammi
Reminiscent of Cow Parsley which softens the verges of country lanes,Ammiis a tall annual that produces a froth of delicate white blooms that bring a simple, elegant feel to summer borders. Commonly known as Bishops Weed, its graceful stems rise above ferny foliage, lending themselves nicely to summer bouquets.
Antirrhinum
Antirrhinum, or as most of us call them, Snapdragons are cheerful cottage garden plants, used as bedding to brighten up borders and containers. They're easy to grow and come in a range of different colours and heights, and therefore can be grown in a variety of situations. Attractive to wildlife, particularly bumblebees, they have a long flowering period, from June until October. Taller cultivars make good cut flowers and last well over a week in water.
Astrantia
Astrantia are an excellent garden plant and cut flower with zigzag petals resembling a Tudor ruff. A hardy perennial which after 2/3 years can be divided in spring. Feed established plants early in the spring and again in the middle of the summer with a good all-purpose soluble fertiliser. Astrantias require very little care. Cut the foliage and flowers hard back in autumn or spring.
Bells of Ireland
Moluccella laevis (Bells of Ireland) has tall spikes of fresh apple-green bells arranged all the way up the stem. An outstanding foliage plant that adds interest to borders and bouquets. For the best results the seeds of Bells of Ireland need cold stratification to germinate.
Cornflower
Cornflower is an easily grown hardy annual wildflower that is quick to grow and blooms in summer, bearing masses of pretty, ruffled flowers on slender wiry stems. While not native to the UK, it was introduced from the Mediterranean thousands of years ago and is considered 'naturalised'. The original species is beloved for its deep blue blooms, but there's now a wide choice of varieties in shades of blue, pink, maroon, and white.
Cosmos
Cosmos will put on a continuous display throughout the summer months and well into autumn, standing on tall, slender stems which sway in the breeze creating that gorgeous soft and floaty effect. Perfect for a sunny spot in any mixed planting scheme, not only will they look great in the garden and be beneficial to pollinators, but they make lovely cut flowers too. Despite their delicate looks, these plants are pretty tough and will stay standing in rain or a drought.
Craspedia
As well as being a favourite among florists, Craspedia is also becoming increasingly well known as a garden plant. It bears dense, yellow, spherical flowerheads, at the top of stiff stems emerging from basal rosettes of narrow foliage. There are several species available, though Craspedia globosa is the most widely cultivated.
Dahlia
The real advantage in growing Dahlias from seed is that you get the best of both worlds. The first year will provide a very economical collection of bright flowers and each plant will produce tubers that can be carefully lifted at the end of the end of the season for storing and re-planting the following year. With single flowers, cactus types, pompons, waterlilly, anemone and collarette types there's a Dahlia out there to suit ever garden and gardener!
Daucas Carota
Daucus carota, also known as Queen Anne's Lace, is the wild ancestor of the domestic carrot and a common wildflower found in dry fields, roadside ditches and open areas. Easy to grow from seed and performs best in well-drained to dry soils, with low to moderate soil fertility. The lacy flowers appear in shades of rose pink, through burgundy to chocolate.Up to a thousand tiny flowers are produced in delicate, lacy, flat-topped, clusters up to 10cm wide.
Delphinium
Perennial delphiniums are renowned for their rich colours and commanding presence, often reaching up to 250cm. They flower in early summer and are perfect for beds and borders and make a glorious cut flower. Delphiniums are a favorite of many gardeners, but it’s important to understand that they prefer moist, cool summers and do not fare well in hot, dry weather. The plants also dislike sudden wind or rain. Except for the dwarf perennials, most delphiniums will need staking to keep them upright.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an easy to grow, tough perennial which flowers in late summer. They combine well with other late perennials and grasses, especially in prairie-style plantings. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Echinacea won’t flower freely in shade. They prefer being planted in spring and summer, as autumn plantings are more prone to rotting off over winter, especially on wet or heavy soils. They also dislike being disturbed, so plants are best allowed to form large clumps.
Gaura
It's easy to see why Gaura lindheimeri holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit. With it’s slender, arching stems tipped with panicles of rosy pink buds opening to reveal white flowers, this plant blooms over an incredibly long period. The delicate flowers attract pollinating insects to the garden and bring movement to borders with its loose, wafty habit. Gauras are easy as long as you remember that they are prairie plants from a warm place, mulching helps to protect from severe winters. Mature gauras do not move well.
Gypsophila
Gypsophila is very popular border plant for its clouds of flowers which are useful for flower arrangement, everlasting flowers or just for providing a pretty, misty background for other flowers. Gypsophila paniculata is a perennial species requiring a permanent position in the garden, Gypsophila elegans is an annual species.
Larkspur
A stunning cottage garden plant, adding height and colour to border displays. Larkspur flowers work well with roses, peonies and other tall growing flowers such as lupins and verbascums. Larkspur flowers are usually blue but they also come in mauve, pink, white and even red. They can be single or double, depending on the variety. Single-flowered varieties are loved by bees.
Orlaya
Orlaya makes an easy to grow, quick border filler. It gives lovely fern-like foliage and clusters of pure white flowers, similar to lace-cap hydrangeas, with its flowers composed of small inner florets framed by large outer ones, forming a pretty pattern which is reminiscent of lace-cap hydrangeas. Planted en masse, the luminous white petals have a shimmering effect, creating a soft haze which melds plant masses together, immediately capturing that romantic cottage garden vibe. Long straight stems and soft ferny foliage add to its appeal.
Penstemon
Penstemon; these elegant easy-to-grow border plants send up spires of tubular flowers in a range of gorgeous colours. From sky blue to rich plum, deep purple to powdery pink, they flower across the summer months, and like a warm, sunny spot. Plants will prove hardy and come back a second year if wet winter conditions are avoided.
Phlox
Phlox are herbaceous plants that bear a profusion of small, often scented flowers in summer. They range from tall border perennials to creeping phlox or alpine varieties and woodland types, as well as annual varieties that can be grown as bedding; those are the varieties we focus on at Collie Flowers and have available in our range of seeds. As well as being fragrant and long flowering, most cultivars attract a variety of bees and other pollinating insects.
Sunflower
Sunflowers come in a range of sizes and colours, with many now having multiple flower heads from a single stalk. Sunflowers prefer a well drained soil in full sun. Tall varieties shoudl be sown early to allpw growing time and will need staking if sited in a particularly windy area. For varieties offering multiple flowerheads deadhead regularly to encourage continuous flowering. If space allows once the flowers are spent at the end of the season leave the heads to form seeds which will provide food for wildlife through the winter.
Zinnia
Zinnia are annual plants, popular because of the colourful, daisy-like flowers. Native to Mexico, there are 18 species and hundreds of cultivated forms, which are grown as annual bedding plants. Flowers come in vivid colours from red, orange and deep pink to green, with a lovely long flowering season from summer to the first frosts. Zinnias are perfect for filling gaps in the border and also work well in container displays. Long stemmed varieties make great cut flowers and single-flowered varieties are attractive to pollinating insects.
Cut Flower Favourites to grow from seed
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Zinnia, Giant Cactus mix
Regular price £1.65 GBPRegular price -
Zinnia, Purple Prince
Regular price £1.65 GBPRegular price -
Zinnia, Envy
Regular price £1.45 GBPRegular price -
Sorry, I'm really popular and busy growing in other gardens, back in store soonPhlox grandiflora, Creme Brulee
Regular price £1.45 GBPRegular price
