Otherwise known as the spring starflower, Ipheion uniflorum produces exquisite star-shaped blooms in early spring. Each stem bears a single, sweet-scented flower (reflecting the Latin uniflorum - single flower), with six pointed petals and colours varying through shades of pale silvery-blue to lilac. The narrow leaves appear before the flowers and, being a close relation to alliums, give off an onion-like aroma when crushed. This small, herbaceous perennial is perfect for mixing with other low-level, spring-flowering bulbs in rock and alpine gardens, borders, beds and containers, and is also good for underplanting shrubs and roses. It naturalises easily, rewarding you with more profuse displays year after year. Easy to grow, the bulbs will thrive in full sun or partial shade, preferring a sheltered position with moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Supplied as a pack of 50 bulbs, size 4/5 ready for planting in the autumn.
Large-flowered Crocus, the name says it all! Providing early colour, this wonderful mix of coloured cup-shaped blooms are abundant. This wonderful variety is great for container displays on your balcony or decking. In fact, these crocuses will grow almost anywhere in the garden too, even happy in light shade and prefer a free-draining soil. Good for naturalizing as they return reliably and are perfect for planting under shrubs and trees. Leave the bulbs in the ground after the flowers have died back, and they will reward you with bigger, better displays, each year for many years to come. Supplied as a pack of 20 bulbs, size 7/8 ready for planting in autumn.
Velvet trumpets of pinky purple make this woodland native a must-have for wildlife gardens. Becoming rarer in the wild, foxgloves make very striking garden plants. Their beautifully dappled blooms attract pollinating insects and are a favourite of our native bumble bees. Quick and easy to grow, digitalis is ideal for naturalising and will attract bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Known commonly as foxgloves, this architectural plant will punctuate borders with spires of bloom. Perfect for filling wild gardens or meadows with colour, they'll self-seed with abandon! A hardy biennial, plants will grow a rosette of bright green, furry leaves in the first year, and produce a magnificent spike of spotted trumpets in their second year. Never before has it been so important to protect pollinators such as bees, and this wildflower is ideal to encourage them into your garden. Bees are invaluable for pollinating a whole range of plants and especially useful for kitchen gardens to enable the formation of many fruits and vegetables. Take a look at our bee book for more details on these fascinating insects. Growing to 60cm (24in) Sow outdoors, April-July, directly where they are to flower. Flowers May - July Supplied as a pack of 900 seeds. Native grown seed not taken from the wild CAUTION: Toxic if eaten.
Large-flowered Striped Crocus, the name says it all! Providing early colour, the cup-shaped blooms are abundant and striking in silvery lilac and dark striped petals. This wonderful variety is great for container displays on your balcony or decking. In fact, these crocuses will grow almost anywhere in the garden too, even happy in light shade and prefer a free-draining soil. Good for naturalizing as they return reliably and are perfect for planting under shrubs and trees. Leave the bulbs in the ground after the flowers have died back, and they will reward you with bigger, better displays, each year for many years to come. Supplied as a pack of 20 bulbs, size 7/8 ready for planting in autumn.
The attractive blossom pink flowers of Strawberry 'Florian' are followed by a heavy crop of good sized, juicy, red fruits from July to September. This delicious everbearing variety can be grown outdoors or under glass, but as it fruits from its runners as well as the main plant, Strawberry 'Florian' is ideal for growing in hanging baskets on a sunny patio. Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 30cm (12).
One of the most beautiful of all spring-flowering plnats. Vigourous in habit, it produces a profusion of large blooms in a delightful range of colours from white through to cream and yellow to orange and crimson.
Our own special, hand selected strain of these very large flowered primroses in almost every colour of the rainbow. Returning year after year, Primula 'Special Giant Flowered Strain' makes the perfect spring flowering primrose for bedding and patio containers. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 20cm (8). Culinary note: Primula flowers are edible.
True to its name, this giant among sunflowers is one of the tallest you can grow, with huge, long-lasting daisy-shaped blooms measuring up to 60cm (24in) across and reaching a height of up to 360cm (144in). Having the best record-breaking potential, this heirloom variety is the obvious choice for nurturing children's interest in gardening as well as for indulging your competitive streak - even if just to impress the neighbours as the enormous flowers stand tall well above fence height! Originating in North and South America, sunflowers were worshipped by the ancient Incas as a symbol of their sun god. They reached Europe by the sixteenth century, since when they have been grown in abundance by generations of gardeners and commercial growers for their impressive proportions as well as their highly nutritious seeds and oil. Capable of bringing a touch of sunshine to your garden even when days are dull, they are brimming with optimism and the joys of summer. With enormous dark hearts fringed by glorious bright yellow petals, the flowers soak up the sun and redistribute its goodness in the form of large seeds, which you can roast and eat as a snack, scatter over salads or use in your baking - but don't forget to save some for the birds! When the flowers have reached their peak, hang them up to dry naturally and they will provide a welcome autumn and winter buffet for our feathered friends. However tall they grow, the sturdy, slightly prickly upright stems shouldn't need staking, even in exposed positions, although for peace of mind you may want to provide some support, particularly if you are growing for a competition. The immature flowerheads will follow the sun through the day but once the petals have opened, the flowers will remain facing one direction Supplied as a packet of 25 (approx.) seeds ready to sow indoors or outdoors. For best results, sow the seeds outdoors, directly into their flowering position, to allow the roots to establish firmly with uninterrupted growth. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with well-draining soil. If necessary, add plenty of well-rotted manure or compost to the ground before planting. Sow from March to May either indoors for planting out in June to July, or outdoors directly into their growing position. These hardy annuals will flower from June to September, in the same year as sowing.
Large-flowered Blue Crocus, the name says it all! Providing early colour, the cup-shaped blooms are abundant and striking in a deep shade of violet-blue. This wonderful variety is great for container displays on your balcony or decking. In fact, these crocuses will grow almost anywhere in the garden too, even happy in light shade and prefer a free-draining soil. Good for naturalizing as they return reliably and are perfect for planting under shrubs and trees. Leave the bulbs in the ground after the flowers have died back, and they will reward you with bigger, better displays, each year for many years to come. Supplied as a pack of 20 bulbs, size 7/8 ready for planting in autumn.
With immensely pretty, single flowers of ivory-white streaked with green, 'Spring Green' will add stunning highlights to your springtime garden, patio or decking. With long-lasting, single blooms, appearing from late April into May, this viridiflora variety is perfect for combining with early and late spring-flowering bulbs to extend your seasonal colour. The slightly feathery, cup-shaped flowers grow on tall, sturdy stems and will introduce a crisp and elegant note to the front or middle of a border. They harmonise beautifully with lush perennial or silvery-green foliage and make a stunning cut flower display. Easy to grow and fully deserving of its RHS Award of Garden Merit, 'Spring Green' is a proven performer and the bulbs will naturalise well, flowering repeatedly if left in place. Alternatively, they can be lifted for replanting the following autumn. Supplied as a pack of 12 bulbs ready for planting, they are best planted in groups in borders or pots. Plant them with bright yellow daffodils or plum-coloured tulips for wonderful contrast. Plant in a sunny or lightly shaded position in rich, well-drained soil.
Large-flowered White Crocus, the name says it all! Providing early colour, the cup-shaped blooms are abundant and striking elegance in pure white. This wonderful variety is great for container displays on your balcony or decking. In fact, these crocuses will grow almost anywhere in the garden too, even happy in light shade and prefer a free-draining soil. Good for naturalizing as they return reliably and are perfect for planting under shrubs and trees. Leave the bulbs in the ground after the flowers have died back, and they will reward you with bigger, better displays, each year for many years to come. Supplied as a pack of 20 bulbs, size 7/8 ready for planting in autumn.
Large-flowered Yellow Crocus, the name says it all! Providing early colour, the cup-shaped blooms are abundant and striking in a deep shade of golden-yellow. This wonderful variety is great for container displays on your balcony or decking. In fact, these crocuses will grow almost anywhere in the garden too, even happy in light shade and prefer a free-draining soil. Good for naturalizing as they return reliably and are perfect for planting under shrubs and trees. Leave the bulbs in the ground after the flowers have died back, and they will reward you with bigger, better displays, each year for many years to come. Supplied as a pack of 20 bulbs, size 7/8 ready for planting in autumn.