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.

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.

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!

Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing' is the most elegant and garden-worthy form of cow parsley. With stunning, almost black, finely cut ferny foliage the first year, it explodes the second year with delicate clusters of small white flowers held above the darkest of foliage. Use them for fillers in bouquets as you would Queen Anne’s lace.

Antirrhinum majus ‘Appleblossom’ offers soft, pastel-toned blooms in peach, apricot and soft pink that are beautifully blended so that each ruffled flower looks as though it has been delicately hand painted. The densely packed spikes bloom in succession from early summer right through to mid-autumn.

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 majus are one of the most reliable flowers for the garden. Superb for contrast and for giving height to the border, 'Canary Bird' has excellent vigour, the densely packed spikes bloom in succession, providing months of deep yellow flowers on strong stems that are great for cutting.

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 are one of the most reliable flowers for the garden, grow them in full sun, and after they are done blooming trim the plants back and they will quickly be blooming again. 'Defiance' sport clusters of uniquely shaped red blooms, a traditional warm orange-red, rather than hot crimson-red, they are very easy to combine with other colours in the garden.

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.

Antirrhinum majus 'Ruby' produces densely packed spikes that bloom in succession with voluptuous, ruby red flowers. Superb for contrast and for giving height to the border they also make an excellent cut flower. After they are done blooming, trim the plants back, and they will quickly be blooming again.

Worldwide, Antirrhinum is one of the most important 'summer cut-flowers', grown year-round in greenhouses they are adored by florists and gardeners alike. An all-around excellent garden performer, 'Snowflake' produces densely packed spikes that bloom in succession with pure white flowers.

Antirrhinum majus ‘Tetra Mix’ produce tall, stately plants with ruffled blooms in a rich variety of colours. The robust plants grow to around 90cm tall. Superb for contrast and for giving height to the border, they are grown year-round by florists as a cut flower and are an all-around excellent garden performer.

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.

Sweet Williams are one of those lovely old-fashioned flowers, easy to grow and famous for their spicy-scent. The Auricula-eyed Group are irresistible, dense clusters of flowers in dark tapestry rubies, fuchsia, scarlet, purple and white. Best of all, they are intensely fragrant, with a delicious, rich perfume.

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.