Garden Flower Varieties

What is the difference between a wildflower and a garden flower?  Well, wildflowers are like gypsies – rough and tumble with a free-spirited, mischievous flamboyancy of colour.    Garden flowers really are direct descendants of their gypsy bloodlines, but often require just a little more help to get them growing before they burst forth with powerful colour. 

Most garden flower seeds are best started indoors in trays or pots using the following steps:

·         Fill trays with potting or seed raising mix to rim, lightly firm and moisten.

·         Sprinkle seeds thinly. Cover larger seeds with a layer of mix twice the seed size. Don’t cover fine seed.  Gently water.

·         Place in a propagator or cover trays with a plastic bag to retain moisture and keep an even temperature.  Put in light airy place out of direct sunlight.

·         Remove bag when seeds have germinated.

·         Don’t let trays dry out.

·         Harden off plants by placing them outside for a few days before planting.

·         When large enough thin or transplant to the garden.

Some seeds, like sunflowers and sweet peas, can be grown direct into the garden.

It's easy - just follow these codes:

A:  Annual,  B:  Biennial,   P: Perennial

Sun: Full sun,  Sh: Semi-shade,  Sun/Sh: Sun or semi shade, Sh: Shade, Dry: Low rainfall or dry, sandy soil.

Sp: Flowers in spring,  S: Flowers in Summer,  Au: Flowers in Autumn

Photos are a guide only.  Seed Counts are approximate.