Red campion (Silene dioica) is a native wildflower which can grow as a biennial or perennial to a height of 100cm. Produces an abundance of five petaled pink-red flowers which fuse at the base to form a tube. Flowers over a wide period from May to September. Readily self seeds.
Plants are dioecious so the male and female flowers are on separate plants. Normally found in semi shaded areas in woodlands or along hedgerows and ditches. Being a native plant, it is important for pollinating insects like butterflies, hoverflies and bees.
Sow seeds in pots in late summer and overwinter them before planting out the following spring.
Scorzonera (Pseudopodospermum hispanicum) are grown for their long soft tap roots. The leaves and flower buds are also edible. It is also known as black salsify. The roots are black on the outside and have a white flesh on the inside and are also part of the sunflower family. For edible roots scorzonera is grown as an annual. For seed it is grown as a biennial. The roots will overwinter in the ground and produce an abundance of yellow flowers in the second year.
Direct sow seeds thinly in shallow drills 1cm deep from late April. Give 30cm space between rows. Scorzonera seed does not keep well so is best sown in the year it is sourced. Germination is slow and erratic and can take 2-3 weeks. After a few more weeks plants can be thinned to leave the strongest grow on.
Hollyhocks are often associated with cottage flower borders but have a long history as an edible plant that is also used in herbal medicine and dye making. This variety (Alcea rosea var. nigra) has deep purple almost black flowers on strong stems that reach up to 2m. Easy to grow and beneficial to butterflies and bees
‘Moulin Rouge’ is a very easy to grow and prolific sunflower. It produces striking flowers with burgundy petals that are yellow streaked. The flower centers are chocolate brown and beloved by bees and insects.
A branching variety of sunflower which produce multiple flower heads on strong stems of just above 6 feet (2m) in height. The thinner side shoots produce smaller flowers after the main flower has blossomed which spreads out the flowering period. Does not need staking. Works great in the middle of a flower border.
As well as being one of the best flowers for bees, the ripening sunflower seeds provide plenty of bird food. Goldfinches are particularly drawn to sunflowers. Of course, you can save some and sow your own seed again the following year.
Tree Mallow (Lavatera arborea) is a woody stemmed biennial which has downy fan like leaves and pink dark veined flowers. Fast growing and low maintenance. Enough always self seeds to keep some plants coming through. In flower for a long time – from early summer until around September. It is a native plant to Ireland and usually grows in coastal areas. The seeds for these were saved from my garden which is a few miles inland. It should survive anywhere in Ireland once it doesn’t get a particularly harsh frost below -5°C.
‘Sunspot’ is a dwarf variety of sunflower which produce massive flowers on short strong stems of about 40-50cm in height. They are ideal for windy gardens and small children* – you wont have to hire a cherry picker for them to get a look at the bumblebees collecting pollen. The golden flowers can reach a diameter of 30cm. Good for growing in containers or large pots. The ripening seeds provide plenty of bird food. Of course, you can save some and sow your own seed again the following year.
Average 50 seeds per packet.
*It is not yet clear whether this variety is suitable for small gardens and windy children. Though research abounds, results are conflicting and debates amongst ‘experts’ often degenerate into name calling and slander. Some argue that growing dwarf sunflowers in gardens with ungenerous boundaries only serves to further their diminutive status, whilst elsewhere, a compelling case is made that the joy a child experiences observing bumble bees in the labour of pollen collection is no compensation for having to listen to them drivel on about it afterwards.
Scarlet is a very prolific pink-red sweet pea. Grows up to 1.8m in height and needs support to make a colourful trellis. Excellent for cut flowers and bouquets.
Sweet peas can be sown in unheated glasshouses or polytunnels in early Spring. Deep cell trays or pots are good as they don’t like too much root disturbance when being transplanted. To get early flowers it is possible to sow in November once mice don’t get the seeds. Their final position should be in fairly fertile soil in a sunny position.
Opium poppies (Papaver somniferum) are an ancient plant grown since Neolithic times. Usable for flower arranging or extracting the seeds for adding to baked goods. Due to their taproots, poppies can be difficult to transplant. I find it easier to broadcast seed in some prepared soil around April. A pink blossomed variety which forms heads of various sizes.
Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) is an uncommon but easy to grow root crop. Direct sow in Spring for harvest in the winter. The roots are long, slender and have been described as oyster flavoured. Roots can be replanted, or left in situ, and will flower and set seed in the second year. Flowers are ornamental and edible. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach and even the young shoots can be eaten like asparagus.
Salsify is an ancient food crop from south east Europe and North Africa which is referenced often in plant books throughout antiquity. Though it is largely out of favour now and not widely grown. It is part of the Asteraceae family, like lettuce and sunflowers, so what we consider the ‘flower head’ is actually a basket shaped head containing many individual (sessile) flowers. Each of these flowers will produce a seed when fertilised. Seeds are long and rod shaped with ribs. They have feathery hairs, known as a pappus, to aid with wind dispersal, as do many seeds in this family.
Sow in well prepared deep loose soil so that roots can stretch their legs. Sow seeds in shallow drills 1cm deep with 30cm between rows. Germination can be erratic – some seeds will germinate in a few days with most taking 2 to 3 weeks. Once they are on the way, thin plants to around 8- 10cm apart. After that, they need very little attention.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) have abundant and sweetly scented yellow flowers which open in the evening time to attract moths and other pollinators . Flowers are born from strong stems which rise above rosettes of long lanceolate green leaves. Growing up to 1m in height, they can flower continuously from June to September.
Native to North America, it has become widespread and naturalised in many other regions. Most well know for Evening Primrose Oil which is produced from the seeds – certain strains have been selected for use as an oilseed crop. All parts of the plant are edible. The leaves and flowers can be used in salads and the fleshy roots can be cooked (if harvested before the plant blooms).
A biennial, evening primrose can be sown in-situ during Spring where they will have time to build up enough energy in their roots to regrow from the following year. Alternatively, plant in pots in a protected environment in Autumn and plant out the following Spring when risk of frost has passed. The seed is tiny and doesn’t like to be buried so simply sprinkle seeds on top of compost in a seed tray. Then pot up when seedlings are large enough to handle. Self seeds readily on disturbed soil.
A Russian heirloom cultivar which produces the black oil seeds used in sunflower oil. Much loved by birds. Generally produces one large head with minimal side branching. Grows between 1.5 – 2m tall. The seeds, if not left for the birds, can be collected and also put to good use as a microgreen or green manure.
Calendula officinalis, or pot marigold, is an easy to grow flower with many benefits. Calendula flowers are edible and the petals make a colourful garnish or addition to salads. They are also used for tea either fresh or dried. They have reported healing properties and are commonly used to treat skin conditions and inflammation in the form of a balm. The deeply rich orange and yellow coloured flowers attract insects and may be beneficial in companion planting.
Can flower from June from an early sowing. Sow directly from May or a little earlier in trays for transplanting.
A popular variety with pure white fragrant flowers that bloom over an extended period. Grows up to 1.8m in height and needs support to make a colourful trellis. Perfect for cut flowers and bouquets.
Sweet peas can be sown in unheated glasshouses or polytunnels in early Spring. Deep cell trays or pots are good as they don’t like too much root disturbance when being transplanted. To get early flowers it is possible to sow in November once mice don’t get the seeds. Their final position should be in fairly fertile soil in a sunny position.
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is a biennial flowering plant which is often grown for its essential oil. It is worth growing just to experience the smell of the plants in full bloom. It has been used for perfumes, potpourri, incense, cut flowers, flavouring wines as well as medicinally.
An unfussy plant which will grow in low fertility but will reward you with larger and more prolific plants in decent soil. The plants are very robust and stately, branching out and up strongly without any need of support. Each stem will carry a succession of blossoms which have pale blue and pink parts.
Growing Clary Sage – Sow seeds in early summer and plant out whenever the plant roots have filled their containers. They will put out vegetative growth and establish a root system before dying back for the winter. In the second year, they will come forth with vigour and grow to a height of 100cm. No maintenance required.
