Flowers
Growing your own flowers enhance the beauty of your surroundings, improve air quality, and support local ecosystems by attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Garden flowers can also be cost-effective, reducing the need for purchasing commercial flowers and promotes sustainable gardening practices.
Overall, growing your own flowers fosters a healthier, more vibrant living environment while contributing positively to personal and ecological health.
Lupins
Lupinus
Perennials
Lupins are bold, colourful flower spikes giving that country-garden vibe. These easy-to-grow sun-lovers work well in formal borders, gravel gardens and containers.
From seed:
Lupin seeds are relatively thick-skinned therefore it is best to soak them for 24 hours in water before sowing in a peat-free compost. Sow them in individual module trays.
Leave in a bright, warm environment such as your windowsill or a greenhouse if you have one. Check the seeds daily to see if the have germinated which can take around 5 days. Once the weather begins to warm up and the threat of the last frost has past, it is time to plant them outside.
Transplanting:
Lupins like moist, well-drained soil, in an area that is exposed from full sun or partial shade. The will grow tall therefore will benefit from a sheltered position. If you have no choice other than an exposed area, use a stake to support them.
Poppies
Papaver somniferum
Perennials
Bees love poppies, and we love bees. These delicate flowers are easy to grow and really do make the garden look beautiful.
From seed:
Poppies don't like being transplanted and much prefer to be directly sown into the ground. However, they can be grown as transplants. If you are growing them from seeds, gown in trays, which are 'bottom watered' by setting it in a pan of water. Overhead watering can wash away the tiny seeds.
They may be slow growing, so be patient.
Sowing:
Sowing poppies directly in your garden is much easier and should be done between March and May but you will have to wait while the following summer for a healthy display of flowers. First find a sunny spot, prepare the ground and sprinkle your poppy seeds in your desired location. Once the seedling are large enough to handle, you can thin them out.
Roses
Rosa
Perennial
Growing roses from seed does take time and requires your patience but it is also relatively easy to do.
From seed:
First of all, the rose seeds need to be kept in cold moist storage, called stratification, before they will germinate. Plant your rose bush seeds approximately 6 mm deep in planting mix in seedling trays. The planting mix should be moist but not soaking wet. Place each tray in a plastic bag and pop them in the refrigerator for 10 to 12 weeks.
Plan the stratification period to end early spring. Take your rose seeds out of the refridgerator and place in a warm environment around 21 degrees Celsius. You should see your rose seed starting to sprout over the next 2-3 weeks.
Transplanting:
When you rose seedlings are large enough to handle, carefully transplant them into pots. It is important not to touch the roots so it is advised to use a spoon for the transfer phase to help.
With water (do not over water), plenty of light and rose feed, your rose bushes will thrive!
Sunflowers
Halianthus annuus
Annuals
One of Britain's best-loved flowers, the sunflower blooms all the way through summer to autumn. Sunflowers are easy to grow from seed therefore an ideal for growing with the kids!
From seed:
Sow your sunflower seed between April and May individually in 10cm pots of compost. Place them in a warm spot on the windowsill or in a greenhouse for germination. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, harden them off gradually for around 2 - 3 weeks before planting them outdoors.
Transplanting:
Plant your sunflower seedlings at the same depth as their pots. Water well and make sure you provide a stake for taller varieties. Sunflowers do well in pots but they do not grow as well as they would in the ground. They require a lot of water so make sure you water any potted sunflowers regularly.
Sweetpeas
Lathyrus odoratus
Annual
From Seed:
Seeds should be sown and covered with 1 cm of compost. Seed can be sown one seed per cell which are 12.5cm deep and the plants are left in them until planting time. Germination is best between 15 - 18 degrees Celsius, which should take place bet 7 - 14 days.
Once plants start to grow, the growing tips of the primary stem should be pinched out after two pairs of leaves have been produced, to ensure the development of side shoots.
Transplanting:
Individual plants should be planted to the same depth as their pots with the soil level brought to a level below the first side shoot and planted firmly. Stems should be tied to their canes with the side shoots and tendrils removed. If you are using netting or wire supports, leave tendrils in place to allow the plants to climb.
Once flowers appear they should be cut regularly or dead headed to ensure no seeds are produced, otherwise flowering will cease.
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