As you browse these flowers, certain themes will become apparent. We love flowers with heavenly scents and we would not be without the bright colours of the really easy-to-grow annuals. But the special charm of our selection revolves around those helpful plants that nourish the tiny beneficial insects we want to encourage in the garden. Many of these ?are perennials for your lasting pleasure. And hidden in their midst are some shade tolerant, moisture loving plants that have chosen the West Coast as home-Bleeding Hearts, Goat's Beard and Blue Flax. Also review our Herb section for scented plants for ground covers, charming accent plants and fragrant branches.
Tiny mounds of white flowers give off a rich honey perfume. Alyssum is great as a living mulch and a beneficial attractor in the veggie garden. It is ideal for edging and in baskets or pots. Shear plants after first flowering for a second bloom. Sow in groups of 8 to 10 seeds for stronger effect. Do not cover. Germinates in 5 to 14 days.
From
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$ 2.60 CA
Centaurea Blue Boy
Annual
Centaurea cyanus
Centaurea are also known as Bachelor's Buttons. Familiar, charming, brightly-coloured pompoms on fuzzy grey stems, are well loved by humans and hover flies. Blue Boy is at home in borders, with herbs, or in the kitchen garden, brightening our spirits. Direct seed, making multiple sowings April to June to extend bloom. May be planted in October on the Coast. Tradiitional vivid blue blossoms, tall growing for masses of cut flowers. Plant height 90cm (3ft).
From
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$ 2.69 CA
Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies Robinson's Giants
Perennial
Painted Daisies flash brilliantly from May to July in hot pink, bright fushia, deep rose and scarlet. Extremely easy to grow! Plants grow to heights of 90cm (3 ft) tall! In general, daisies are grown for masses of reliable blooms in late summer and autumn. Do not cover; germinates in 7 to 28 days. Pinch tips for bushier plants.
From
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$ 2.70 CA
Columbine McKana's Giant Mix
Perennial
Aquillegia spp.
Tall, graceful, and intricate long spurred blossoms are perfect for cutting. Nodding and dainty, the fairy-like blooms are held high above delicate foliage. This mix is marvelous in woodland plantings or any shady location. Blooms mid-spring to early summer. White, cream, yellow, and red. Plant height 90cm (3').
From
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$ 2.70 CA
Coneflowers Purple
Perennial
Echinacea purpurea
Loved equally by beneficials and humans, echinacea blossoms are long blooming (July to October). They are at home as a border feature or in the vegetable garden. There seems to be light coming from within these bright mauve-pink petals surrounding a distinctive rich plum center cone. you can create dramatic contrast when these flowers are planted with Shasta or Michaelmas Daisies, Erynglum, and Monarda. Pre-chill and nick seeds. Sow 0.3cm (1/8") deep. Seeds germinate unevenly in 10 to 21 days. Coneflowers may bloom in the first year if planted in early March. Plants are sturdy once established. Protect from slugs.
From
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$ 2.75 CA
English Wallflower
Perennial
Reliable colour in early spring, these branching plants produce velvety flowers of coral orange, crimson, butter yellow. English Wallflower is traditionally grown with flowering bulbs such as tulips or beneath lilacs, which bloom at the same time. Sow outdoors June to August in pots, then move to the garden for blooms the next spring. Plant 0.6 cm (1/4") deep. Germinates in 5 to 21 days.
From
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$ 2.69 CA
Evening Scented Stock
Hardy Annual
Matthiola bicornis
Spindly and insignificant by day, it is potently fragrant at dusk! Single, four-petalled flowers are a pale lilac. Best grown either in out-of-the-way spots or with Virginian Stock to combine their complimentary growing habits, colours, and fragrances. Shear back once for continuing scent from July until frost. Sow on surface; germinates in 3-20 days.
From
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$ 2.69 CA
Everlasting Mix
Grow a bountiful bed of flowers for drying! This is a rich and varied mixture of strawflowers, everlastings and more; plus a choice assortment of grasses, including some unique varieties. It will last indefinitely when dried. Direct seed late spring for summer bloom, raking the planting area first. Broadcast in a weed-free area and water. Thin or transplant to suit. Keep moist until well established.
From
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$ 2.99 CA
Forget-Me-Nots Chinese
Hardy Annual
Myosotis arvensis
Clear, indigo blue flowers are effective massed in clusters. Chinese blooms longer that other varieties from summer to late autumn, creating bright and cheerful mounds in the border. Resistant to mildew. Direct seed, plant 0.6cm (1.25") deep. Chinese forget-me-nots germinate in 5-10 days. Self sows.
From
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$ 2.80 CA
Lupins Russell Hybrids
Perennial
Lupinus polyphyllus Stunning, brightly-coloured spikes create a strong feature in the early summer garden. Its pea-like flowers grow in dense spires. Scatter through cottage or wildflower gardens or mass plant in the border. Purple, deep blue, red, pink, yellow, cream, and white. Soak seeds for 24 hours or nick the seed ends and plant. Russell Hybrid grows to 0.3cm (1/8") deep in pots early spring or in summer for flowers next summer. This variety offers all the lupine colours in one package - purple, deep blue, red, pink, yellow, cream, and white. If you want more of a certain colour, gently separate the little offset at the base of a mature plant and replant. Lupin roots bear nitrogen fixing nodules.
From
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$ 2.79 CA
Nigella Persian Jewels
Nigella damascena
Nigella is also known as Love-in-a-Mist. Its delicate appearance belies its hardy, dependable nature. ale as a baby flower, it matures to intense shads of violet, blue, white and shades in between. Valuabe cut or dried, use the dried seed haeads in arragements. For continuous bloom, direct seed weekly until June. Barely cover with soil. Germinates in 8 to 15 days. Easy as pie!
From
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$ 2.65 CA
Phacelia
Hardy Annual
Pale, mauve-blue, fragrant flowers unfold like ferns at the top of long leafy stems and attracts bees for miles around. The delicate, lacy foliage bears a resemblance to yarrow. It fits in the vegetable garden as a cover crop or in a garden bed for quirky flowers. Direct sow or broadcast April to June.
From
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$ 2.70 CA
Safflower Grenade Mix
Carthamus tinctorius
Native to the Mediterranean, safflower is a tall, gangly plant with highly-colored yellow-red flowers that make an inexpensive substitute for saffron. These are also the best kind for producing the deep orange coloring agent used in oil infusions, salves, and cosmetics. Dry the petals and add them to the oil infusion - it's easy. Plant prefers sun to part shade and poor, dryish soils. Large seeds are best direct-seeded after last frost. Harvest flowers once they open, or let the plant mature to produce the oil-rich seed.
From
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$ 3.49 CA
Schizanthus Angel Wings
Annual
Schizanthus spp.
Back by popular demand for your hanging baskets, these plants produce abundant litle orchid-like flowers in cream, pink, violet blue, and rose above delicate fern-like foliage that drapes gently over the edge of the container. Direct seed or start indoors late February to March, cover lightly, then germinate in the dark. Grow in partial sun.
From
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$ 2.70 CA
Verbena
Perennial
Tufts of tiny, purplish-blue flowers stand like fairy wands. Airy and light, verbena fits in anywhere in your garden. Flowers will bloom dependably June to frost. It is considered by many butterfly experts to be a most important nectar provider for many species of butterflies. Plant height 2m (6ft).
