Hardy Biennials

Alcea ficifolia is reliably perennial and unlike the biennial forms which produce a single spire, they produce many upright stems, resulting in a bushy form. ‘Happy Lights’ is a beautiful strain, a bold blend of white, pink, purple, red, and yellow blooms. If sown early they will bloom in their first year.

Alcea rosea ‘Chater's Rose’ is a dramatic, upright plant, with a spike-like inflorescence that is covered with large buds that open, in a staggered manner, from June to September, from the bottom to the top. Fully double and almost pom-pom in appearance, the fine crepe texture of the petals is so delicate that it allows light to pass through.

Alcea rosea ‘Chater's White’ is a dramatic, upright plant, with a spike-like inflorescence that is covered with large buds that open, in a staggered manner, from June to September, from the bottom to the top. Fully double and almost pom-pom in appearance, the fine crepe texture of the petals is so delicate that it allows light to pass through.

This gorgeous award winning Hollyhock has the distinction of being the shortest in the Alcea rosea family. 'Queeny' is a dwarf Hollyhock that reaches only 60cm in height with fully double blooms. Unlike the tall varieties, it is a perennial that can also be used as an annual as it will bloom in its first year.

Alcea rosea ‘Queeny Salmon’ is a knockout hollyhock, shorter, showier, and dressed in ruffled petals the colour of antique blush silk. It flowers its heart out in the first year from seed, the blooms are fully double, almost peony like, a beautiful soft pink that catches the light.

Hollyhocks are a mysterious and prolific flower with a long and rich history. Traditionally associated with cottage-style borders, the dramatic, near-black flowers of Nigra work equally well in a contemporary, minimalist garden. This unique variety creates an impressive impact against most backgrounds.

Anchusa italica is a wonderfully statuesque plant with vibrant, gentian blue flowers, dense foliage and lance shaped mid green leaves. 'Dropmore' is a 1905 selection that is still available today. They will thrive in a sunny border and make a great companion to rich plums and purple tones.

Anthriscus sylvestris is most characteristic of hedgerows, road verges and woodland edges. Our native Cow Parsley has a sophisticated form, with delicate, open, white lacy umbels, that from mid-spring to early summer look as though they're erupting from a well shaken champagne bottle!

This is a stunning snapdragon, first you get to enjoy the dark green foliage...then you are gifted with the smoldering velvet-crimson flowers. Antirrhinum majus 'Black Prince' does well in containers as well as the garden and makes an excellent cut flower. Rich, luxurious, and striking...don’t miss out on this one – you won’t be disappointed.

Antirrhinum 'Dark Leaved Mix' blooms with a vibrant mix of colours, each with dark purplish bronze foliage. The robust plants grow to around 60 to 70cm (20 to 24in) tall. The densely packed spikes bloom in succession from early summer right through to mid-autumn.

Antirrhinum majus 'Lucky Lips' has been awarded the Fleuroselect Award. The judges were impressed by its height and compact plant habit. Blooming with distinctive contrasting bicolour purple-red and white flowers, a colour way that is often referred to as a 'silver bi-colour', it is ideal for adding height to borders or for cutting.

Daucus carota 'Dara' is a large flowered chocolate coloured Queen Anne’s Lace. Delicate, lacy, flat-topped clusters in shades of old rose-pink, through burgundy to chocolate, and bloom for most of the summer from just one planting. They look great en masse and the plant pairs well with almost anything in the garden or in the vase.

Daucus carota 'Purple Kisses' is a striking ornamental carrot variety featuring delicate, lacy white flowers tinged with soft purple hues. The are spectacular when used in mixed bouquets or simply arranged in a great cloud of their own. The lacy umbels come in a range of sizes and shades and bloom for most of the summer from just one planting.

Sweet Williams are one of those lovely old-fashioned flowers, easy to grow and famous for their spicy-scent. Dating back to the 1920s, 'Holborn Glory' bloom with a lovely combination of purple-red with a pristine white ring bloom on straight, strong stalks. Easy to grow, everyone can grow them to perfection.

Sweet Williams have been grown in gardens for hundreds of years, they are famous for their gentle sweet scent and flower with flat clusters of flowers all summer from May to August. Dianthus barbatus 'Newport Pink' are irresistible, coral-pink flowers with delicately fringed petals.

Treasured in the garden for their bright colour and strong fragrance, Dianthus barbatus 'Scarlet Beauty' flower all summer from May to August with clusters of single, brilliant scarlet red flowers, and best of all, they are intensely fragrant, with a delicious rich perfume.

A striking strain of Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus ‘Super Duplex Mix’ has been bred for its exceptionally large, fully double blooms. The flowers form dense, rounded clusters, with ruffled petals in a very wide colour range. Easy to grow, with a light, sweet clove scent, everybody can grow them to perfection.