Half Hardy Annuals

Helichrysum 'Silvery Rose' produces blooms that are pure to creamy-white and frosted with rose at the petal tips. The petals have a pearlescent sheen, reminiscent of vintage mother of pearl. The delicate rose colour is subtler on young blooms and darkens as they mature and open.

Helichrysum bracteatum is the most well known and is probably the best of all the everlasting flowers. They make one of the finest subjects for bouquets, apart from being useful for beds and borders. It is the cut flower grower's staple, producing tall vigorous branching plants that are filled with large papery flowers.

Throughout the summer, large, pure white flowers of Ipomoea alba open quickly at night, releasing sweet perfume into the evening air. Position near to your patio where you can enjoy the fragrant scent in the evening. A wonderful plant for a moth, night, or fragrance garden, the large white blooms appear to illuminate the garden

Ipomoea nil ‘Blue Picotee’ produces large, ruffled cobalt-blue blooms that are edged with bright white surrounding a deep rose throat. This extremely carefree and free-blooming, annual climbing vine will grow to around 120 to 180cm (4 to 6ft) tall. It will bloom early and load itself with masses of attractive funnel shaped flowers up to 10cm (3in) wide all summer long.

Known as ‘Asagao’ in Japan, Ipomoea nil ‘Early Call' produces large, ruffled blooms in a wide range of rich colours including deep blue, red, chocolate, pink and lavender in both solid-coloured and white-margined varieties. It will bloom early and load itself with masses of attractive funnel shaped flowers all summer long.

Ipomoea nil, the Japanese Morning Glory is one of the traditional horticultural flowers in Japan. Ipomoea nil 'Kikyozaki', the Star Morning Glory produces blooms with a unique star shape. The exceptionally large blooms are 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) wide, each with a white edge. This extremely carefree and free-blooming, annual climbing vine will grow to around 180 to 250cm (6 to 8ft) tall.

Ipomoea pennata is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of all annual vines. The feathery foliage with thin, thread-like leaves give the plant a light, airy texture. In summer the plants burst into flower and are covered with hundreds of scarlet red, star shaped flowers.

This heirloom morning glory originated in Bavaria in Germany and named for the original Seed-saver Baptist John Ott, Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott' flowers of intense violet-blue, with a ruby red star. It is a good climber for walls, trellis work or if allowed to scramble through other plants or trees.

Nicotiana alata 'Tinkerbells' is a stunningly colourful plant for borders and containers. The dwarf, bushy habit and the hybrid vigour combine to produce a carpet of colour. To get the most enjoyment from the sweet evening fragrance, plant near patios, decks, or under windows to best enjoy their sweet perfume.

The pure bloom power of Nicotiana Crimson Bedder makes it a winner for every garden. The well branched and bushy plants grow to around 50cm tall. These free-flowering little gems will bloom from early summer to autumn, every inch packed with crimson blooms.

Pennisetum alopecuroides is an especially appealing species, it changes its appearance and colour throughout the growing season. In late summer graceful fountain-like plumes emerge in profusion, they slowly change colour to a blend of green, soft pinks and light-colored maroons before maturing to light tan.

Pennisetum alopecuroides var. viridescens has broader leaves and darker flower heads than the regular species and, growing to around 60cm tall, it is also slightly smaller. It has graceful smoky purple-black plumes that contrast nicely with the slender arching, glossy, deep green foliage.

Petunia 'Celebrity' is an impressive and dependable series that has been wowing gardeners for more than a decade. They have the fastest average bloom time, beginning just 43 days after sowing, when the plants are no more than 10cm tall. Unrivaled for long-lasting colour the 'Niagara Mix' is lovely blended mix of blues.

Like favorite guests at a party, Celebrity Petunias come early and stay late. They are unrivaled for long-lasting colour, have great resistance to adverse weather and bounce back quickly after rain. The 'Pastel Mix' is lovely blend of complimentary colours, salmon, chiffon morn, rose, pink and lilac.

Rudbeckia hirta 'Denver Daisy' has large, golden daisies with chocolate brown centres and marks at the base of each petal. Growing to around 75cm (30in) tall, this lovely variety performs well, is exceptionally heat tolerant and blooms for a long time in summer.