Shop

Papaver somniferum. Black Peony poppies feature the deepest purple flowers available, with fully double, tightly packed petals for a very striking look. The dramatic, peony-shaped flowers only open for one day, but appear from July through September. They can grow to 10cm across. The dried seed heads are very useful in dried flower arrangements, and the edible seeds can be used in baking. Black Peony is highly attractive to bees and resistant to grazing deer. Expected plant height approximately 90cm.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start perennial poppies outdoors in early spring, when some chance of frost is still a possibility. Start annual varieties outdoors at the same time in Zones 3-7. In Zones 8-10, the best bet is to direct sow in the fall.

Poppies are famously difficult to transplant, so starting them indoors is not recommended. If absolutely necessary, use peat or coir pots, and maintain a soil temperature of 12°C. Seeds will sprout in 20-30 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow on the surface of the soil, or barely cover seeds. Thin to a minimum of 15cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Poppies are easy to grow and the self-sow with abandon, without becoming weedy. Simply pull up unwanted plants (an easy task) before they bloom, or better yet, let them tell you where they want to grow. They will thrive for years at a time in surprising spots, like a crack in the driveway. Other times, they simply won’t take, no matter how much you try. Keep them moderately well watered in hot, dry weather, and do not fertilize.

For the largest heads on Papaver somniferum: Sow seeds in the fall or early winter. Thin plants to allow them some space, and keep the area weeded as plants grow larger. Grow this variety in full sun in well-drained, but ordinary garden soil. If spring and summer are cool and damp, or plants are over-crowded, expect smaller seed heads.

Approx: 690 Seeds.

Eschscholzia californica. XL Jelly Beans is a new California poppy that features very large, semi-double blooms that feature splashes of bubblegum pink, lemon yellow, and raspberry red. These contrast beautifully against the feathery foliage with its restrained, matte silver-blue colour. The eye-catching flowers appear over a long period from spring through summer, and work well in beds or containers. XL Jelly Beans grows to about 25cm  tall, and is somewhat drought tolerant. It’s also deer resistant.  Hardy 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: 155 Seeds.

Callistephus chinensis. The Blues Mix is an excellent choice for the cut flower garden. It blooms from July to October on strong, upright, multi branching stems to a height of 75cm. The mix of large and small flowers appear in blues, purples, and white, but all with the ruff of fully double petals. All are attractive to pollinating insects and hummingbirds, and they look magnificent in a large bouquet. Be sure to take frequent harvests of cut flowers, or at least keep the plants dead-headed to prolong and enhance the bloom time. Please follow the planting and spacing instructions closely.  Annual.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out, in peat pots or similar. Otherwise direct sow outdoors after the last frost date. Just cover the seeds. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 18-21°C. China Aster seedlings are very susceptible to damping off, so provide good ventilation and only water from below.

How To Grow, Growing:  Space or transplant 30-45cm apart. This spacing is key to success later  in the season, so please follow the guidance. Do not pinch back young plants. Water regularly during dry spells. This plant is particularly sensitive to over-watering, and will not thrive if over-crowded, poorly ventilated, or situated close to a heat-reflecting surface. Mulch around the plants in summer to help keep the roots cool.

Approx: 120 Seeds.

Callistephus chinensis. The Roses Mix is a top choice for the cut flower garden. It blooms from July to October on strong, upright, multi branching stems to a height of 75cm. The mix of large and small flowers appear in rose pink and white, but all with the ruff of fully double petals. All are attractive to pollinating insects and hummingbirds, and they look magnificent in a large bouquet. Be sure to take frequent harvests of cut flowers, or at least keep the plants dead-headed to prolong and enhance the bloom time. Please follow the planting and spacing instructions closely.  Annual.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out, in peat pots or similar. Otherwise direct sow outdoors after the last frost date. Just cover the seeds. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 18-21°C. China Aster seedlings are very susceptible to damping off, so provide good ventilation and only water from below.

How To Grow, Growing:  Space or transplant 30-45cm apart. This spacing is key to success later  in the season, so please follow the guidance. Do not pinch back young plants. Water regularly during dry spells. This plant is particularly sensitive to over-watering, and will not thrive if over-crowded, poorly ventilated, or situated close to a heat-reflecting surface. Mulch around the plants in summer to help keep the roots cool.

Approx: 100 Seeds.

This versatile blend contains flowers that are equally beautiful in garden beds and in bouquets as they are long lasting cut flowers. This Cut Flower Blend contains annuals and perennials, so it will provide an ongoing source of flowers to brighten up any indoor space.
Recommended rate of application: 198g per 1,000 square feet.
Blend Ingredients:
[Annual Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila elegans), Bishop’s Flower (Ammi majus), Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), China Aster (Callistephus chinensis), Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), English Wallflower (Cheiranthus cheiri), Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta), Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule), Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera), Painted Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum), Perennial Lupine (Lupinus perennis), Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Rocket Larkspur (Delphinium consolida), Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), Sulphur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus), Sweet William Pinks (Dianthus barbatus)]

How To Grow, Timing:  Try to direct sow wildflower seeds during the period two weeks before, and eight weeks after, your last average frost date. Sowing when there is some risk of minor frost may improve germination. Wildflower seeds can also be sown in the autumn, but a certain percentage of seeds to may be lost to water, birds, and animals. To make the most of the annual species, direct sow in early spring.

How To Grow, Starting: 

Site Selection: If there are already no plants (including weeds) growing in the planting site, there may be a problem with the soil. Possible issues may be soil fertility, lack of drainage, or the need for soil amendments to improve texture. In such spots (eg, beneath a cedar tree), few plants will thrive, including wildflowers.

Site Preparation: Remove as much existing vegetation as possible through pulling or tilling under in order to minimize competition. Loosen the soil by scraping, raking, or tilling. Wildflower blends will not usually take if planted into existing lawn because the thatch prevents their contact with soil.

Seed Application: In small areas, seeds can be scattered by hand. In larger areas, you may want to employ a lawn spreader or some other mechanical means. We recommend adding 1-2 parts clean, dry sand to 1 part wildflower seeds which will help the seeds spread evenly. Do not use beach sand, as it usually contains salt. It may be wise to spread most of the seed, but to save some for filling in bald spots at a later date. Seeds must come into contact with the soil in order to germinate. Do not bury seeds more than 2-3 times their thickness.

Planting rates: Aim for a planting density of 70 seeds per square foot. 90g of seeds will cover 1,000 ft². Use 4kg per acre. 500g covers about 5,500 ft². If seeding an area where site preparation and weeding are not possible, double this rate.

How To Grow, Growing:  Keep the seeded area as evenly moist as possible to help the seeds germinate and the young seedlings become established. Weeds need to be kept under control. Once they are growing, most mixes will not require additional water except in long periods of hot, dry weather. All of our mixes should re-grow for several years, but will eventually benefit from re-seeding. In late summer, many of the components will produce seed heads that can be harvested and replanted the following spring.

5 Grams of Seeds

Viola cornuta. These perky little flowers are old-fashioned heirloom favourites and look like miniature pansies with lavender, yellow, and white faces. Direct seed Johnny Jump Up viola seeds from April to July. Sow seeds 0.6cm deep, and they should germinate in 12-14 days. Johnny Jump Up viola seeds self sow fairly readily, but they do not take over, and can be easily raked under if unwanted. These look rather good in containers, and their flowers are edible. If you want to try your hand at making candied violets, Johnny Jump Ups are the place to start. Or simply pick some of the fresh flowers and scatter them over salads and summer meals.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors 10-12 weeks before planting out. For spring planting after last frost, that means up to 3 months growing time indoors. Otherwise, sow direct outdoors in summer to early autumn. For winter-flowering pansies in Zones 7-9, start seeds in mid to late June. For V. odorata: Direct sow in autumn or early spring. This variety benefits from a long exposure to cool soil.

How To Grow, Starting:  Even though the seeds are tiny, they need to be sown 5mm deep. Keep the soil at 18-25°C, in complete darkness until they germinate in around 14 days. Then provide bright light to keep plants compact. Space at 15-23cm in the garden. For V. odorata: Barely cover the tiny seeds. Sow in flats sunk into the ground against a north-facing wall, and cover with glass or plastic. Remove cover when seedlings emerge. Germination can take up to 50 days, so be patient.

How To Grow, Growing:  After germination, pansies and violas are easy. Fertilize once or twice in early growth and provide a mulch around plants to keep roots cool as weather warms. Deadhead to prevent self-sowing, particularly with Johnny-Jump-Ups.

For V. odorata: Transplant after last frost or in the autumn where winters are mild, spacing at 15-30cm apart. Grow in partial shade, or in full sun where summers are cool. This variety prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Add well-rotted manure at transplant time.

Approx: 420 Seeds.

Lathyrus odoratus. Grow some history! These most unusual Italian heirloom sweet peas are bi-coloured violet and deep maroon. Matucana sweet pea seeds are thought to be one of the first sweet peas to be introduced to Britain in 1700 by a Sicilian Monk, Franciscus Cupani. Matucana sweet peas have an intoxicating scent and smaller flowers than many modern varieties that bloom over a long period in summer. Provide some support for this rampant climber and it will reward you with stunning beauty and fragrance. And be sure to pick off spent flowers before they form seed pods. This will keep the plants blooming longer. This is one of our staff favourites.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.

How To Grow, Growing:  For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.

Approx: 50 Seeds.

Lathyrus odoratus. Plant High Scent sweet pea seeds for incredibly luxurious floral fragrance. This variety has large, pure white flowers that blush at the edges. The vines are tall at 120cm, and the stems are long, making them superb and elegant cut flowers. “High Scent” is no exaggeration – these are the sweet peas to grow for their intense perfume. Try them on a trellis or as a screen to break up garden spaces. It’s easiest just to direct sow the seeds in early spring and erect a trellis or support once the seedlings are 15cm tall. Keep the vines clear of spent flowers to prolong the bloom period.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.

How To Grow, Growing:  For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.

Approx: 55 Seeds.

Lathyrus odoratus. Each creamy white petal is edged and mottled with a darker colour – scarlet, blue, salmon-rose, lilac, purple, and chocolate. Butterfly Blend sweet pea seeds are one of our most unique and beautiful varieties. This is a very nice climbing variety that works well with a trellis or plant net. Plants grow to a height of 120cm or more. Sweet peas grown for cut flowers work particularly well against a really solid support like a chain link fence or chicken wire stretched out on a frame of some kind. For the longest bloom period, be sure to remove all spent flowers as you see them.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.

How To Grow, Growing:  For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.

Approx: 40 Seeds.

Dwarf sunflower for containers and small garden beds, perfect for children to plant! Big Smile has the classic bright sunny-yellow petals with a dark center. Compact, branching plants are 25-38cm when grown in pots and slightly taller at 30-60cm (12-24”) when grown in the garden. Bears Pollen.

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 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.

Approx: 10 Seeds.

Enjoy early blooms with unique colour, as early as 40 days after planting! Cherry Rose’s 7.5-10cm pollenless flowers are cherry red with light yellow tips and a dark center. Well-branching, 150cm tall plants produce an abundance of blooms.  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 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.

Approx: 25 Seeds.

Lavendar sweet peas are a lovely shade of pale purple with white highlights. Exceptionally fragrant blossoms from the popular Royal Family series. We are excited to offer this series as individual colours so you can plant your favorites. Large 2″ flowers bloom over a long period. Provide a trellis for the 152-182cm vining plants.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.

How To Grow, Growing:  For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.

Approx: 85 Seeds.

Alcea rosea. Sow Indian Spring hollyhocks seeds in full sun. This is a selection of our most popular Hollyhocks seeds, blended for planting en masse to create a beautiful cottage garden. Tall spires grow to 2m or more, with single, double, and ruffled flowers that fill in empty garden spaces with blooms in rose, pink, white, chocolate, purple, and lavender. This blend looks sensational from late spring to frost. Hollyhocks are both tall and drought tolerant, so they are a nice choice for xeriscaping. Avoid overhead watering with hollyhocks in order to delay foliar diseases, including rust and powdery mildew. These are not uncommon problems for hollyhocks, but rarely make much impact.  Biennial.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start hollyhocks 6-8 weeks before planting out after the last frost date. In mild winter areas, start seeds indoors in late February to early March, and transplant out in April or May. An early start usually results in flowering the first year. Seeds germinate in 10-14 days. Ideal soil temperature for germination: 15-21°C.

How To Grow, Starting:  ow seeds on the surface of the soil, and provide bright light. Use peat or coir pots in an effort to minimize root disturbance. Transplant at 45-60cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Ideal pH: 6.0-7.5.  Grow in rich, moist soil with good drainage. The most important factor is good air circulation, so do not crowd plants or plant too close to structures, hedges, etc… Keep well watered and feed a few times during the growing season. If the flower stalk is cut back immediately after finishing, plants may bloom again. Stake tall plants.

Approx: 36 Seeds

Echinacea purpurea. Purple Coneflowers Echinacea seeds produce plants that are long-blooming from July to October. At home as a border feature or in the vegetable garden. Bright mauve-pink petals surrounding a distinctive rich plum center cone. Sow 5mm deep. May bloom in the first year if planted in early March, but it’s their third year that is really spectacular. These perennial coneflowers attract hoverflies and parasitoid wasps, so they’re useful for pest control in companion plantings. Echinacea plants are sturdy and drought tolerant once established, so they are useful in xeriscaping. Plant height to 80cm. Perennial.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before planting out. If started indoors in late winter, Echinacea may bloom in the first year. It can also be direct sown in early spring or early fall. Germination should occur in 10-21 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds shallowly at only 3mm deep. If starting indoors, provide total darkness and a soil temperature of 21-25°C. Once sprouts appear, provide bright light.

How To Grow, Growing:  Space plants at 30-38cm apart in any average, well drained, slightly acidic soil. Water plants regularly for best results, keeping the leaves as dry as possible. Leave seed heads intact over winter to feed birds and provide shelter for beneficial insects.

Approx: 250 Seeds.

Cosmos bipinnatus. Lovely, delicate Cosmos in a range of colours, from fuchsia to pink to white, that only grows to 90cm tall in full sun. This is a shorter version of the Sensation Mix, but not technically a dwarf variety. Mini Blend Cosmos seeds produce flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and wild pollinators. This blend looks fantastic on its own as a short growing meadow flower, and it is quite drought tolerant, so it’s useful in xeriscaping. They’re also pretty enough for gathering as cut flowers. Direct sow Cosmos seeds from April to early June and keep the mature plants deadheaded to prolong the blooming season until first frost.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow after the last frost date. Several sowings will result in a very long bloom period. Cosmos can also be started indoors in late winter for transplanting after last frost, once daytime temperatures are above 10°C. Seeds will sprout in 3-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 21-25°C.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds very shallowly only a few millimetres deep. Thin or transplant to 20-25cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Most varieties can get quite tall, and in exposed or windy gardens can benefit from staking or trellis netting laid horizontally over the bed for the stems to grow through before blooming. Deadhead and cut for bouquets regularly to extend the bloom period.

Approx: 160 Seeds.

Cleome hassleriana. Big clusters of light pink flowers with reddish highlights and very long stamens appear above erect stems with spirally arranged leaves. You might not even notice the plant until the first flowers open – like roman candles in the garden! The flowers are very exotic looking, with quite a unique structure. Plants from Spider Flower Cleome seeds grow as tall as 150cm, but usually a bit shorter on the coast. Spider Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and beneficial insects. This native of southern South America is too tall for most containers, but it sure looks good planted in small groups in the garden.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors from 6-8 weeks prior to the last frost date for transplanting (or simply direct sow) 3-4 weeks after last frost. If direct sowing, consider repeating every two weeks into early summer for a longer bloom period. Seeds will sprout in 10-14 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow on the surface of the soil. If starting indoors, seeds benefit from vernalization: Place seeds on the surface of moistened, sterilized seed starting mix in pots, and place pots in zip-top plastic bags inside the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Then move pots to bottom heat and maintain soil temperature at 21-25°C until germination. Provide bright light.

How To Grow, Growing:  Cleome is quite an undemanding annual. The stems are usually very strong and upright, but might benefit from support in very windy, exposed gardens.

Approx: 495 Seeds.

Dwarf Pacific type delphinium perfect for small gardens. Magic Fountains attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with fantastic displays of semidouble pink, blue, lavender, and white flower spikes with dark and light “bees”, or centers. Compact plants do not need staking but should be sheltered from strong winds. Perennial plants grow 90-120cm tall.

How To Grow, Timing:  Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before planting out. Or simply direct sow in early spring, when a light frost is still possible, or early autumn. Seeds take 14-28 days to sprout.

How To Grow, Starting:  Just cover the tiny seeds. If starting indoors, vernalize seeds by planting them in trays in sterilized seed starting mix. Place these inside plastic bags and refrigerate for 2 weeks. Then place them in total darkness and maintain a soil temperature of 10-12°C until sprouted. Once sprouts appear, place below bright light. Space or thin to 30-45cm between plants.

How To Grow, Growing:  Deep, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. For the most bloom potential, water well throughout the season, and feed once in the early spring. Remove spent flowers immediately after the first bloom, and feed again. When new growth reaches about 20cm tall, cut back old growth completely.

Approx: 50 Seeds.

Frizzle Sizzle Raspberry is a unique frilly pansy in shades of burgundy and purple with striking yellow centers and white highlights. The ruffling of the edges is most pronounced in cool conditions. Eye-catching planted in strategically placed pots and borders.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors 10-12 weeks before planting out. For spring planting after last frost, that means up to 3 months growing time indoors. Otherwise, sow direct outdoors in summer to early autumn. For winter-flowering pansies in Zones 7-9, start seeds in mid to late June. For V. odorata: Direct sow in autumn or early spring. This variety benefits from a long exposure to cool soil.

How To Grow, Starting:  Even though the seeds are tiny, they need to be sown 5mm deep. Keep the soil at 18-25°C, in complete darkness until they germinate in around 14 days. Then provide bright light to keep plants compact. Space at 15-23cm in the garden. For V. odorata: Barely cover the tiny seeds. Sow in flats sunk into the ground against a north-facing wall, and cover with glass or plastic. Remove cover when seedlings emerge. Germination can take up to 50 days, so be patient.

How To Grow, Growing:  After germination, violas are easy. Fertilize once or twice in early growth and provide a mulch around plants to keep roots cool as weather warms. Deadhead to prevent self-sowing, particularly with Johnny-Jump-Ups.
For V. odorata: Transplant after last frost or in the autumn where winters are mild, spacing at 15-30cm apart. Grow in partial shade, or in full sun where summers are cool. This variety prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Add well-rotted manure at transplant time.

Approx: 25 Seeds.

Frizzle Sizzle Lemonberry is a unique, frilly pansy in shades of yellow with striking purple splotches radiating from the center. The ruffling of the lavender edges is most pronounced in cool conditions. Eye-catching planted in strategically placed pots and borders.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors 10-12 weeks before planting out. For spring planting after last frost, that means up to 3 months growing time indoors. Otherwise, sow direct outdoors in summer to early autumn. For winter-flowering pansies in Zones 7-9, start seeds in mid to late June. For V. odorata: Direct sow in autumn or early spring. This variety benefits from a long exposure to cool soil.

How To Grow, Starting:  Even though the seeds are tiny, they need to be sown 5mm deep. Keep the soil at 18-25°C, in complete darkness until they germinate in around 14 days. Then provide bright light to keep plants compact. Space at 15-23cm in the garden. For V. odorata: Barely cover the tiny seeds. Sow in flats sunk into the ground against a north-facing wall, and cover with glass or plastic. Remove cover when seedlings emerge. Germination can take up to 50 days, so be patient.

How To Grow, Growing:  After germination, violas are easy. Fertilize once or twice in early growth and provide a mulch around plants to keep roots cool as weather warms. Deadhead to prevent self-sowing, particularly with Johnny-Jump-Ups.
For V. odorata: Transplant after last frost or in the autumn where winters are mild, spacing at 15-30cm apart. Grow in partial shade, or in full sun where summers are cool. This variety prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Add well-rotted manure at transplant time.

Approx: 25 Seeds.

Low growing annual mounds of white flowers give off a rich honey perfume. Snow Cloth is great as living mulch and attractor of beneficial insects in the veggie garden. Ideal for edging, baskets, or pots. Shear plants after first flowering for a second bloom, as late as early October. Sow Snow Cloth Alyssum seeds in groups of 8 to 10 seeds for stronger effect. Do not cover. Plants grow to 15cm tall, but they tend to spread, so keep compact by growing in full sun.

Alyssum makes an excellent cover for weed suppression and for attracting beneficial insects. Tiny predatory wasp species are attracted by the small flowers, and will feed on caterpillars, aphids, and other pests.  Sow in all unused areas or between rows.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Or, direct sow while some danger of light frost still exists. It’s very easy, either way.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds on the surface of the soil. If starting indoors, use a sterilized seed starting mix and maintain a soil temperature of 12-21°F under bright lights. The seeds require light to germinate, so do not cover them. They should sprout in 5-14 days.

How To Grow, Growing:  Ideal pH: 6.0-7.0.  Transplant 20-30cm apart once all risk of frost has passed. Alyssum prefers freely draining, loamy soil. It is tolerant of dry soil and hot weather, and can be used for xeriscaping. If watering is abundant, Alyssum responds by growing rapidly. If growth slows in mid-summer due to heat, shear plants back by half to encourage compact growth and a second bloom. This annual may self sow.