This large genus includes both hardy annuals and perennials that are variously known as pansies, violets, Johnny-Jump-Up, and Heartsease. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow pansies and Violas.
Continue ReadingThe scent of yarrow repels aphids, but their flowers attract hoverflies, lady beetles, and parasitoid wasps that prey on aphids and garden grubs. The leaves and stems of yarrow contain enzymes that break down rapidly, so it can be added to the compost raw or as a tea to accelerate the heap. Achillea is a hardy perennial also known as milfoil. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow yarrow from seed.
Continue ReadingVeronica is also known as Brid’s-eye and Speedwell. It is a popular hardy perennial that grows upright with multiple spires of intensely blue flowers. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Veronica from seed.
Continue ReadingTithonia is a heat-loving annual plant that grows very much like a sunflower. It gets quite tall, so works best in the back of the border, but it looks wonderful planted in large groups. The orange flowers of the Mexican sunflower are large and amazingly bright. Continue reading below for guidance on how to grow Tithonia from seed.
Continue ReadingSweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are annual climbing plants which can grow to heights of 1–2 meters (3-6'). Most varieties require a trellis for support. The flowers range with a variety of colours and intensity of fragrance. They are are a flowering plant in the genus Lathyrus in the family Fabaceae (legumes), native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow sweet peas from seed.
Continue ReadingStrawflowers are well known by crafters and florists for their unusually high quality as dried flowers. The petals on each strawflower are like stiff paper, and they unfold from the centre to form concentric rings in bright colours. Officially a tender perennial, most gardeners treat them as annuals and simply sow fresh seed each year. Give them an early start indoors, or direct sow strawflower seeds in regions with long summers.
Continue ReadingSunflowers will grow in just about any well-drained soil, and they are drought tolerant. Annual flowers that can grow to incredible heights in just one season. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow sunflowers from seed.
Continue ReadingStatice is also known as sea-lavender and marsh-rosemary. It is widely grown for cut flowers and for dried flower arrangements. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Statice from seed.
Continue ReadingStrawberries are hardy perennials, but the plants become less robust after about three years. Start strawberry plants from seed, and then propagate by cuttings and runners. Continue reading below for some pro tips on how to grow strawberries from seeds.
Continue ReadingSnapdragons are of the genus Antirrhinum also known as dragon flowers. They are native to rocky areas of western Europe. Snapdragons are tolerant of heat and cold, but do best in summer, producing the familiar cottage garden flowers. The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Snapdragons from seed.
Continue ReadingGrow Sisyrinchium once, and the common name of Blue-Eyed Grass will make complete sense. The leaves of this low growing perennial are quite grass-like, and in summer it comes alive with very delicate blue flowers that seem to appear out of nowhere. Below are some top tips on how to grow Sisyrinchium from seeds.
Continue ReadingScabiosa is sometimes listed as Sweet Scabious or Pincushion Flower. Also mourning bride. It is easy to plant and grow Scabiosa seeds. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Scabiosa from seed.
Continue ReadingStart indoors in peat or coir pots 8-10 weeks before planting out. Alternately, direct sow in early spring or early autumn. For best results, place the seeds on the surface of pre-moistened soil, and tuck inside a plastic bag.
Continue ReadingSalvia is a close relative of conventional sage, but is grown for its handsome blue flowers rather than as a culinary herb. It is a long-blooming member of the mint family. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Salvia from seed.
Continue ReadingPerennial Ratibida is also known as Prairie Coneflower and Mexican hat. It is native over a wide range in North America, from the Canadian south to the north of Mexico. It is closely related to Rudbeckia. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Ratibida from seed.
Continue ReadingThis annual Rudbeckia is commonly known as Black Eyed Susan, but also answers to such folksy names as Brown Betty, Brown Daisy, Brown Eyed Susan, Golden Jerusalem, Poor-land Daisy, Yellow Daisy, and Yellow Ox-Eye Daisy. This wonderful, fun flower comes in so many shapes, sizes and colours. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Rudbeckia from seed.
Continue ReadingThese annual and perennial flowering plants have striking similarities, but a surprising range of colours and growth habits. It is easy to grow poppies from seeds. In the right setting, they grow and then self-sow with abandon, without becoming weedy. They will thrive for years at a time in surprising spots, like a crack in the driveway.
Continue ReadingPlectritis is a member of the honeysuckle family that is native to western North America, from Vancouver Island to southern California. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Plectritis from seed.
Continue ReadingThe genus Physalis includes the edible ground cherry (aka Cape Gooseberry) and tomatillo, but the plant in question here is strictly ornamental. It is grown for its bright orange “Chinese Lantern” seed cases that follow rather inconspicuous flowers in late summer. Whole stems can be picked for drying, or the seed cases can be dried individually for use in flower arrangements, or even as Christmas tree decorations. Continue reading below for some expert tips on how to grow Physalis from seed.
Continue ReadingThis easy-to-grow annual is one of the best pollinator attractors of all. Bees simply love the ample, long-lasting, purple flowers. It is often called Phacelia, Purple Tansy, Scorpion flower, or heliotrope. It is easy to plant and grow Phacelia from seed.
Continue ReadingPale Evening Primrose is an important BC wildflower that provides food for our native pollinators. Learn how to grow Oenothera in your garden to feed the bees and bring back this beautiful flower from endangered status. This flower is also known as Suncups and Sundrops. Oenothera. pallida is a short lived perennial plant that self sows, but is in no way invasive. In the right setting it may naturalize.
Continue ReadingNigella performs best in cooler growing areas, in ordinary, well-drained, pH-neutral soil. Fertilize and deadhead regularly, and water in long dry spells. It is easy to plant and grow Nigella seeds. Nigella may self sow, depending on conditions.
Continue ReadingThis relative of catnip in the mint family does not trigger the kitten-like behaviour in cats as catnip does. Although cats might graze on Nepeta leaves and flowers, it tends to not make them go crazy afterward. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Nepeta from seed.
Continue ReadingNemophila menziesii is an annual that is known as Baby Blue Eyes. Cool, moist, light, well-drained soil is best. Grow in partial shade where summer soils get hot. Plants can die from excessive heat. Nemophila may self sow if conditions are right. Barely cover the tiny seeds. Aim for plant spacing at 10cm (4″). Tighter spacing is okay for this small species. It is easy to plant and grow Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila seeds.
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