Lavender 'Munstead'
Lavandula angustifolia, English Lavender

This neat, compact variety of English lavender bears masses of dark purple-blue flower spikes. The fragrant stems of Lavender 'Munstead' are ideal for cutting or drying, and the nectar-rich flowers are particularly attractive to bees. Lavender makes an excellent low hedge or path edging where the perfume can be appreciated as you brush past the aromatic evergreen foliage. Height: 45cm (18”). Spread: 60cm (24”).
Culinary note: Lavender flowers are edible.
Ideal For:hedges, cottage gardens, scented gardens, wildlife gardens, cut flower garden
Flowering Period:July, August
Position:full sun
Pot up plants using free-draining compost, and grow them on in frost free conditions until large enough to plant outside. Once they are well grown, acclimatise English lavender plants to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting out on free draining soil in full sun. Lavenders dislike wet ground, particularly during winter. Improve heavy soil conditions by adding coarse grit or sharp sand prior to planting. When growing English lavender in large patio containers, use a well drained soil based compost such as John Innes No. 3. After planting, prune lavender plants to encourage bushy growth.
Water regularly throughout summer until lavender plants are fully established. Once established, they are reasonably drought tolerant. Immediately after flowering, prune English lavender back to within 2cm (1") of the previous year's growth to maintain a compact, well shaped plant. Culinary idea: Make delicious lavender sugar or lavender and mint jelly from the freshly picked flowers.

Lavender (French)
Lavandula stoechas, French Lavender, Spanish Lavender

Flaring petals from compact bracts crown slender stems. Very attractive bushes of aromatic grey/green foliage. Favoured by citizens of the Roman Empire for fragrance. Easy to grow and trouble free.
Ideal For:hedges, cottage gardens, scented gardens, wildlife gardens, cut flower garden
Flowering Period:May, June, July, August
Sowing Months:February, March, April, May, June, September, October
Position:full sun
Sow in trays, pots, etc of good seed compost in a propagator or warm place to maintain an optimum temperature of 60-65F (15-18C). Sow in well drained compost, just covering the seed with compost. Sow at any time of year. Germination can be slow. After sowing, seal container in a polythene bag and leave at 60-65F (15-18C) for 2 weeks, then place in a refrigerator (not freezer) for 3-6 weeks. After this return to the recommended germination temperature. If germination does not occur in 6-10 weeks return to the fridge for a further 3-6 weeks. Examine regularly whilst in the fridge and remove immediately the seeds show signs of germinating.
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Grow on in a cold frame and plant out the following spring. Space the plants 30cm (12in) apart in full sun.
Prefers a well drained soil.

Lavender Fernleaf
Lavandula multifida, Fernleaf LavenderHalf-hardy Shrub

A special species quickly flowering from seed. Beautiful dissected silver-green foliage with long slender stems are topped with intriguing violet-blue flower bracts and a delightful oregano fragrance. Height: 45-75cm (18-30in).

Lavender 'Mini Blue'
Lavandula angustifolia, English Lavender

A delightful dwarf lavender flowering in its first year from an early sowing! Compact, rounded plants quickly become smothered with masses of highly fragrant, deep purple lavender flowers from mid-summer onwards, which are highly attractive to bees. With impressive garden performance, Lavender 'Mini Blue' is ideal for growing in containers or used as a neat evergreen edging to beds and borders. Height: 30cm (12"). Spread: 35cm (14").
Sow Lavender seeds from February to July on the surface of moist seed compost and cover seeds with a sprinkling of vermiculite or finely sieved compost. Place the seed tray in a propagator at 21-25°C (70-75°F) or seal inside a clear polythene bag until germination, which can be up to 21 days. Keep the compost damp but not wet and do not exclude light as this helps germination.
When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3") pots and grow lavender plants on in cooler conditions. When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions over 7 – 10 days before planting outdoors. Plant dwarf lavenders at a distance of 25cm (10") apart on any light, well drained soil in full sun. Alternatively grow English Lavender in patio containers using soil-based compost such as John Innes No.3. Lavenders dislike wet ground, particularly during winter. Improve heavy soil conditions by adding coarse grit or sharp sand prior to planting. Overwinter late summer sowings in a cold frame and plant out the following spring.
Water regularly throughout summer until lavender plants are fully established. Once established, they are reasonably drought tolerant. Immediately after flowering, prune English lavender back to within 2cm (1") of the previous year's growth to maintain a compact, well shaped plant. Culinary idea: Make delicious lavender sugar or lavender and mint jelly from the freshly picked flowers.

Sunflower 'Key Lime Pie'

Attractive clusters of small flowers each with primrose-cream petals, surrounding an unusual lime-green centre disk. En-masse, this mouthwatering combination looks great in borders or as a cut flower.
Sow thinly, 12mm (0.5in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in well cultivated soil raked to a fine tilth. Germination usually takes around 10-21 days.
When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 30cm (12in) apart. Alternatively you can sow indoors in late winter/early spring for earlier flowering. Sow individually into 7.5cm (3in) pots at 20-30C (68-86F). When well grown, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out after all risk of frost.

Petunia 'Non-Stick'

No sticky fingers when deadheading!
One reason why petunias don't last longer in our gardens is because they're horrible to deadhead! Petunia 'Non-Stick Mixed' has clean, mess-free flowers that make deadheading much more pleasant. This pretty blend, in shades of pink and purple, will fill your baskets, beds and containers with vibrant colour for a longer lasting display that’s so easy to maintain. Height: 25cm (10"). Spread: 46cm (18").
Ideal For:patio
Flowering Period:June, July, August, September
Position:full sun
Pot up petunia plants and grow them on in warm frost-free conditions for transplanting later on. Alternatively, plant plugs directly into flower pouches. Pinch out the growing tip of each stem to encourage branching and form a bushier plant which will produce more flowers later on. When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise petunias to outdoor conditions over a period of 7 to 10 days, before transplanting them outdoors into baskets, window boxes and containers in well drained soil, in full sun.
Feed and water petunia plants regularly, particularly during hot, dry periods. Regular deadheading of petunia flowers will encourage further blooms to be produced throughout the summer.

Osteospermum 'Falling Stars'
African Daisy, Cape Daisy

Grow the first cascading cape daisy for something really different this summer! This vigorous trailing variety of the African daisy comes in a sunshine blend of five vivid colours that will fill your baskets, window boxes and containers with colour. Famed for their long flowering period, these gorgeous Osteospermums are drought tolerant and simply love the sun. Height and spread: 45cm (18").
Ideal For:patio
Flowering Period:June, July, August, September
Position:full sun
Osteospermum 'Falling Stars' plants can be planted directly into their final containers and grown on in bright, frost-free conditions. Plant them in any fertile, well drained compost. When all risk of frost has passed, acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7 to 10 days, before placing them in their final positions outdoors in full sun.
Feed and water Osteospermum plants regularly throughout the growing season. Deadhead faded Osteospermum flowers throughout the flowering period to encourage more blooms to be produced.

Poppy 'Angels Choir'
Papaver rhoeas, Corn Poppy, Field Poppy, Flanders Poppy

It took 10 years of painstaking breeding to create these lovely corn poppies - but it was well worth the wait! Hairy stems carry double flowers with delicate silky petals, in a beautiful range of soft pastel shades. Like its wild field poppy cousins, this superb hardy annual will thrive in any cultivated soil, setting seed in late summer to produce lots of seedlings for the following year. Poppy 'Angels Choir Mixed' also makes a pretty, though short lived, cut flower if picked early in the morning. Height: 75cm (30"). Spread: 30cm (12").
Pot up plugs and grow poppies on in frost free conditions until large enough to plant outdoors. Acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days prior to transplanting. When growing Corn Poppies, choose a sunny position in rich fertile, well drained soil.
Water corn poppies regularly until fully established. Annual poppies self-seed freely. If seedlings are not wanted the following year then faded poppy flowers should be deadheaded.

Narcissus 'Fragrant Rose'
Daffodil

This late flowering Narcissus bears large white blooms with soft apricot-pink cups that emit a delightful and most unusual rose fragrance. Flowering from April onwards, Daffodil 'Fragrant Rose' is ideal for borders, containers on a patio or sunny windowsill; or grown in bold drifts naturalised in grass. These scented narcissus flowers are also excellent for cutting. Bulb size 12/14. Height: 45cm (18"). Spread: 15cm (6").
Ideal For:greenhouse, conservatory, cottage gardens, scented gardens, low maintenance garden, cut flower garden
Flowering Period:April, May
Position:sun or semi shade
Daffodil and narcissus bulbs are easy to establish in any moist, well drained soil. Plant the bulbs in full sun or semi-shade at a depth of approximately 10cm (4") and at a distance of 10cm (4") apart. Narcissus and Daffodils look particularly eye-catching when grown as drifts in borders or informal areas of grass. For a really natural effect, cast the bulbs across the area and plant them where they land.
For an attractive indoor display, plant daffodils and narcissus in containers of bulb fibre and position them cool garage or other well ventilated, dark position at a maximum temperature of 10°C (50°F). Water sparingly when necessary to keep the compost moist. When the growing shoots reach a height of 10cm (4") move the containers to a cool bright position indoors (approximately 16°C or 60°F).
After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally before removing it in June or July. This will help to feed the bulb for the following year. When growing daffodils and narcissus that are naturalised in grass, avoid mowing the area until their foliage has died back. Caution: Narcissus bulbs are harmful if eaten. The sap may irritate the skin and eyes.

Glory of the Snow
Chionodoxa

One of the first bulbs to flower in the spring, Glory of the Snow 'Mixed' creates dazzling carpets of colour, not only in the traditional blue, but with pretty shades of mauve and white too! Naturalising well beneath trees and shrubs, these starry Chionodoxa flowers also make a hardy and low-maintenance addition to rock gardens and spring patio pots where they'll return year after year. Height: 15cm (6"). Spread: 8cm (3"). Bulb size 4/5.
Ideal For:patio, ground cover, cottage gardens, alpine & rockery, low maintenance garden
Flowering Period:March, April
Position:full sun
Plant glory of the snow in full sun or partial shade, in borders, rock gardens, containers or beneath deciduous trees. Chionodoxa bulbs thrive in any well drained soil. Add plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost to the soil prior to planting to improve less than ideal soils. Plant bulbs at a depth of 8cm (3"). For natural looking drifts of Chionodoxa flowers, gently cast them across the lawn or planting area and plant them where they land!
When growing Chionodoxa, it is essential to allow their foliage to die back naturally as this will feed the bulb for the following year. Where bulbs are naturalised in grass, avoid mowing the area until their foliage has died back.

Nerine bowdenii
Bowden Cornish Lily

An explosion of colour to rejuvenate tired autumn borders! These autumn flowering Nerine lilies bear bright pink, blooms on sturdy stems that make dramatic cut flowers at a time when other blooms are scarce. The hardiest of the species, Nerine bowdenii can be grown in the greenhouse, or outdoors in well drained borders and rockeries. This RHS AGM species is best planted in tight clumps for a dramatic late season display. Bulb size: 14. Height: 45cm (18"). Spread: 8cm (3").
Plant Nerine lilies in a sunny position in sandy, free draining soil. Nerine bulbs prefer shallow planting with the pointed tip protruding just above the soil surface. Nerines thrive when clumps become congested making them particularly well suited to growing in containers. When planting Nerines in containers use a loam based compost such as John Innes No.2 and position in full sun.
Water freely while Nerine bulbs are in active growth but during dormant periods, keep the compost just moist. After flowering, feed bulbs with a low nitrogen fertilizer. In winter, outdoor grown Nerines will benefit from a dry mulch, such as straw, to protect them from hard frosts. Move container grown plants to a warm, dry position. Nerines may be slow to flower in the first year or two until they are fully established. Avoid moving them as this may further delay the development of these colourful nerine flowers.

Russian Snowdrop
Puschkinia scilloides, Striped Squill

Intriguing star shaped flowers, with delicate pale petals, striped with deep blue. These hardy Russian snowdrops make a stunning alternative to traditional spring bulbs. Resilient Puschkinia bulbs will grow in almost any well drained soil, and enjoy hot summers when their bulbs can bake in the sun. Grow them in borders and rockeries, or naturalise them in grass. Our generous bumper bulb pack means there will be plenty left over for your patio pots too! Height: 15cm (6”). Spread: 10cm (4”). Bulb size: 5/6.
Ideal For:patio, alpine & rockery, low maintenance garden
Flowering Period:March, April
Position:sun or semi shade, dappled shade
Grow Russian snowdrops in any well drained garden soil in full sun or dappled shade. Spring flowering Puschkinia bulbs should be planted during the autumn, at a depth of 10cm (4") and at a distance of 7cm (3") apart. Alternatively grow them in containers of free draining compost or naturalise them in informal areas of grass.
Allow the strap like foliage to die back naturally after flowering. Avoid mowing areas of grass where puschkinia bulbs are naturalised until they have completely died back.

Lily of the Valley (Pink)
Convallaria majalis var. rosea

Sought after and highly prized! Each delicate arching stem carries a flurry of rose pink, bell shaped blooms with a powerful, timeless fragrance. Set against of a carpet of lush green foliage, the exquisite blooms of Convallaria majalis make a wonderful cut flower for scented, springtime posies. Once established, lily of the valley requires little maintenance and makes superb groundcover for woodland gardens and shady, damp areas. Height: 23cm (9”). Spread: 30cm (12”)
Position:dappled shade, shade
Lily of the valley plants prefer a full or semi-shaded position, but will grow in a sunny site where the soil remains reliably moist in summer. Plant lily of the valley pips in moist, well drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Add plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost to the soil prior to planting to improve less than ideal soils. Plant pips at a depth of 3cm (1") and a distance of 15cm (6") apart. Overcrowded clumps can be lifted, potted up and brought indoors for a beautiful display. Replant outdoors after flowering.
Lily of the Valley particularly dislikes dry soil. Water plants in summer if necessary. Allow the foliage to die back naturally as this will help to feed the pips for the following year. In autumn, divide overcrowded clumps, remove yellowed foliage and apply a dry mulch of leaf mould or chipped bark. Caution: toxic if eaten.

Hyacinth 'Fresco'
Hyacinthus orientalis

Make a statement in your spring pots. One of the biggest blooming hyacinths, with more impact and more punchy fragrance. Bulb size 17/18.
Ideal For:greenhouse, conservatory, scented gardens, low maintenance garden, cut flower garden
Flowering Period:March, April
Position:sun or semi shade