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The Queeny Series offers a step above the standards with their elegant colour combinations. Queeny Lime with Blotch has pale yellow to chartreuse petals with a pop of pink in the center. Mostly double and semi-double blooms with a small percentage of singles, yielding multiple cuts throughout the season. Plants are 75-100cm tall.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C. Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm between plants.

How To Grow, Growing:  Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.

Approx: 25 seeds.

A High yielding mix that produces large, densely petaled flowers for multiple cuts over the season. Benary’s Giant is the standard zinnia for cut flower growers for its vigorous growth and long-lasting blooms in multiple colours including red, coral, lime, wine, pink, white, purple, and yellow. Widely adapted. Grows to 100-125cm.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C. Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm between plants.

How To Grow, Growing:  Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.

Approx: 25 Seeds.

Under the Sea is beautiful blend of ivory, coral, magenta zinnias. All of them are varieties recommended for bouquets so they make excellent cut flowers. Strong sturdy stems, growing up to between 30–40″ tall. They are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C. Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm between plants.

How To Grow, Growing:  Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.

Approx: 45 Seeds.

Eschscholzia californica. The Thai Silk Formula is a special blend of California Poppies featuring semi-double flowers with fluted petals and a very agreeable silken appearance. The petite plants only grow to 20cm tall, with their delicate looking flowers contrasting nicely against muted, grey-green foliage. The flowers themselves can be as wide as 8cm, and they work well in patio containers, rock gardens, and flower beds. California poppies are drought resistant, so they are suitable for xeriscaping, and they’re also deer resistant. These poppies are known to be toxic to deer, horses, cats, and dogs.  annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow outdoors in spring after the local last frost date. Otherwise direct sow in autumn. It can be started indoors, but does not like being transplanted.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds 5mm deep, spaced 20-25cm apart. Seeds should sprout in 14-21 days.

How To Grow, Growing:  Grow in any average, well-drained soil. Deadhead regularly to prevent self sowing. California poppies are very likely to self sow when conditions are favourable.

Approx: 175 Seeds.

Katz is an early blooming one-cut stock series with good uniformity and long stem length, prized by professional growers. Blooms are 50-60% double flowers with selection possible for a higher percentage. The Katz series produces one flowering stem on each 60-76cm plant that should not be pinched.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after last frost. Seeds take 3-20 days to germinate at an ideal soil temperature of 12-18°C.

How To Grow, Starting:  Stocks are highly susceptible to damping off. Sow on the surface of vermiculite under bright light, with some ventilation nearby. Water only from below. Pot on into sterilized potting soil once plants are large enough to handle, and space them in the garden at 15-23cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Moist, well-drained, fertile soil is best, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Pinch out side shoots for taller plants. Crowding plants encourages earlier blooming. Water regularly and feed lightly every month.

Approx: 50 Seeds.

Unique azalea type snapdragon with double-petaled blooms that are ruffled and full. Madame Butterfly Mix Includes white, magenta, pink, yellow, rose, red, and bronze flowers that create a lush bouquet when cut. 66-89cm plants can be grown in a greenhouse or in the open field and garden.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start snapdragons indoors, 8-10 weeks before planting out. Transplant out after last frost. Direct sowing is less reliable. Provide bright light and a soil temperature of 12°C. Seeds should sprout in 10-21 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow on the surface of a sterilized seed starting mix. To avoid damping off (to which snapdragons are somewhat prone), increase ventilation, use a layer of vermiculite on top of the soil, and water only from below. Transplant out once daytime temperatures are consistently above 10°C and space 30cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Grow these easy sub-shrubs in rich, soil with a neutral pH. Pinch back young plants once 6 leaves have appeared for bushier mature plants. Feed lightly twice, before any flowers appear. Deadhead often. If flowering seems to subside, cut back dramatically, and then feed and water generously.

Approx: 50 Seeds.

With so many to choose from and only so much space in the garden, Tall Blend sunflower seeds will allow you to enjoy a mixed planting. This package combines varieties of tall sunflowers to brighten up the back of the garden. Grow a forest of giants that attract pollinators to your garden and also feed the birds once the flowering show is over. All plants in this collection will grow to 2-4m.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow repeatedly after the last frost date. Starting indoors is possible, but does not gain much time. If sunflowers are allowed to get root-bound, they will lack stability at transplant time, and will require staking. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-30°C. Seeds should sprout in 10-14 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds 5mm-1cm deep. Space dwarf varieties 15cm apart, but give the giants lots of room at 1m between plants.

How To Grow, Growing:  To grow really big plants with really big flowers, enrich the soil with organic matter and incorporate 2 cups of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m of row, and irrigate regularly. When the plants are 30cm tall, dissolve 5ml (1 tsp) of borax (for boron) in 350 ml of water and spread the solution over 5m of row. Be careful not to over-apply this solution. This application of boron will produce bigger seeds and flower heads. Do not apply boron to other garden plants. When the back of the flower head turns yellow, it is ready to be cut from the plant.

Salvia longispicata x farinacea. This impressive Salvia was a show stopper in our field trials, with tall spikes of true blue flowers that attracted bumble bees and other bees from mid-summer to the first frost. It bloomed right into late October in our trials. The deep green foliage beneath the flowers is thick and lush and totally trouble free. Big Blue Salvia is an interspecific hybrid, and the first of its type to flower from seed in the first year. No deadheading or further care is needed. It performs best in full sun, but will tolerate dappled shade, and grows 60-90cm tall in beds or large containers. Space the burly, drought tolerant plants 40-45cm apart.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors late winter to early spring. Transplant out or direct sow starting two weeks after the last frost date. Starting indoors may be more reliable, particularly if using bottom heat and maintaining optimal soil temperature at 15-21°C. Seeds should sprout in 2 to 3 weeks.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds 3mm deep, and keep soil just moist, not wet. Thin to 40-45cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Prior to transplanting, work the soil to a depth of 30cm to improve drainage. If transplanting to a container, add a quantity of grit or perlite to achieve the same end.

Approx: 5 Seeds.

Lavatera trimestris. Stunning the garden, these snowy white mallows make excellent cut flowers. Gleaming white, massive 10cm wide flowers glow in the moonlight. Aptly named Mont Blanc for its profuse blooms on a compact plant growing up to 90cm tall earns this fast growing annual a place in the flower bed, front and centre. Mont Blanc Lavatera seeds are easy to grow, very hardy, and bloom from mid summer to frost. This fast growing plant works well in containers on their own, but even better in mass plantings. Try growing some at the end of your patio, where they can be enjoyed at night in the moonlight.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors in peat or coir pots 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow outdoors in early spring when light frost is still possible. If starting indoors, maintain a soil temperature of 21°C. Seeds will sprout in 15-20 days. Transplant after last frost, being careful not to disrupt the roots. If direct sowing, repeat every 2 weeks until the nights get warmer for a longer bloom time.

How To Grow, Starting:  Barely cover the seeds. Transplant or thin to 30-45cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Lavatera dislikes transplanting, so do not try to move them from their permanent planting site. Grow in moist, average soil. Water well and deadhead regularly. Avoid feeding plants, as Lavatera grown in rich soil will have lush foliage and fewer flowers. It may self-sow.

Approx: 40 Seeds.

Linum grandiflorum. This annual flowering flax grows to only 50cm tall, with cup-shaped flowers appearing in red, white, salmon, and lilac throughout the season. The real trick with Linum is to direct sow the seeds multiple times for an extended bloom period. Sow Linum Charmer Mix at two week intervals from mid-March to the end of May for a full summer of brightly coloured flowers. This mix looks great in containers, but even better in mass plantings. Linum grandiflorum is native to Algeria and some other parts of north Africa, and is relatively drought resistant. Water regularly if growing in containers.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow after last frost date. Sow more seeds every two to three weeks for successive blooming. If starting seeds indoors is absolutely necessary, use peat pots and harden off seedlings carefully to avoid transplant shock.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds by barely covering them to a depth of 5mm. Seeds germinate in 20 to 25 days. Thin seedlings to 15cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 5.0-7.0. Cut back about half of the flowering stems in early summer to extend the blooming period. Grow in any well-drained soil and avoid fertilizer and manure. Rich soil reduces blooming. Linum dislikes root disturbance, so it is not suitable for transplanting – it’s better to simply sow more seeds.

Approx: 40 Seeds.

Tagetes patula. Enjoy mounds of tawny oranges and yellows from mid-summer to first frost (and sometimes beyond). As a companion plant, Sparky Mix marigolds are the variety that will suppress ‘bad’ nematodes in your soil. Be sure to plant around the vegetable garden! They can also be used as a cover crop for weed suppression. Plant these marigold seeds in full sun, and deadhead (remove spent flowers) to prolong the bloom period. These marigolds work well in containers and they are surprisingly drought resistant, so can be incorporated in xeriscaping schemes. This little plant reaches a height of 30cm.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow 2 weeks before last frost. If starting indoors, just cover the seeds with vermiculite and provide a soil temperature of 21-25°C. Seeds should sprout in 4-14 days at that temperature.

How To Grow, Starting:  Marigolds are somewhat prone to damping off. As a precaution, just cover the small seeds with vermiculite, water from below, and provide ventilation in the room. Space plants in the garden 30-45cm apart. Dwarf varieties can be spaced 15cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Pinch the growing tips to encourage branching. This prevents tall, spindly plants. Dead head regularly throughout the growing season.

Approx: 150 Seeds.

This romantic blend of pretty pink, rosy red, ivory/blush cornflowers are sure to charm. Many flowers feature two shades, lighter and darker. Some have white tips on each petal, giving the blooms a frosted appearance. These summer bloomers grow to 80-100 cm tall. Excellent in borders and bouquets. They can also be used as garnishes in dinners and desserts. Fleuroselect Novelty 2011.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow starting just before last frost, and again every two weeks until end of spring. Centaurea can be direct sown in autumn as well. Starting indoors is not necessary, but can be accomplished by keeping seed trays in the dark at the optimal soil temperature of 15-21°C. Move under bright lights once germination occurs, and transplant out in late spring, after all risk of frost has passed.

How To Grow, Starting:  Just cover the small seeds. Thin or space to 15-30cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  We acknowledge that Centaurea cyanus sometimes appears on lists of invasive species. In our experience, for the back yard or balcony gardener, this is not an issue, and the plants are easily controlled. They are short rooted, and can be pulled up with little effort. Unlike some plants, its seeds simply drop locally if allowed to mature, and do not eject, and they do not spread by underground rhizome. We respectfully ask that gardeners who live in threatened or sensitive ecosystems take this into consideration when planting Centaurea, just like any other type of seed.

Approx: 200 Seeds.

ynoglossum amabile. Simple, tiny, indigo blue flowers are massed in clusters on well behaved, bushy plants. Direct sow Chinese Forget-Me-Nots Cynoglossum amabile seeds in the fall or early spring, and the fast growing plants will put on a show very early in the season, blooming from April to June. Cut the seed heads after flowering is finished, or this plant will self sow enthusiastically. It’s okay if this happens, as the spring show is so welcome, and afterwards the plants die back and are hardly noticeable. This variety resists mildew well and grows to 45cm tall. It works well in containers and window boxes and will bloom even in partial shade.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow in early spring when a light frost is still possible. Otherwise start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out. Direct sow again in autumn. Seeds will sprout in 5-10 days, particularly if maintained at their optimal soil temperature of 18-24°C.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds shallowly at 5mm deep, and thin or space to 20-30cm apart. If starting indoors, keep seeds in total darkness until they sprout, and then provide bright light.

How To Grow, Growing:  Ordinary, well-drained garden soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH range will work well. Weak plants result from rich soil. This species is well suited to xeriscaping. Deadhead to avoid self sowing.

Approx: 130 Seeds.

Leucanthemum x superbum. Madonna sets a new standard for Shasta daisies. It was a shining star in our flower seed trials, and the winner of a Fleuroselect Gold Medal for 2020. This new hybrid forms a blanket of incredibly uniform flowers that keep coming all summer, with new flowers emerging over the faded ones. Just about 15% of the flowers have petals that are frilled at the tips. The result is a mounding habit that makes a stunning show in containers, raised beds, or borders. Madonna is a first-year-flowering perennial that is hardy to Zone 3. It is vigorous, and compact at only 20-25cm tall. It’s even deer resistant.  Perennial.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors in late winter to mid-spring, and transplant or direct sow starting around late May. They can also be direct sown in mid-September to October.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds on the surface of a sterilized starting soil. Provide bright light and use bottom heat to keep soil at 18-21°C. Seeds will germinate in 10-14 days. Space transplants at 25-45cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Grow in a rich, well-drained, evenly moist soil in full sun. Good drainage in winter is essential. Pinch back young plants to keep them bushy. Deadhead regularly. Taller plants may require staking.

Approx: 20 Seeds.