Informal / Cottage

Prized for its beautiful silvery foliage, the fine grey-white stems of Artemisia ludoviciana bear silvery-white leaves that are fragrant, fuzzy and soft. This finely textured plant adds a different element to the garden, the texture and leaf form setting them apart from those other garden plants with rather less refined foliage.

The herb borage is a well known annual. Not so well known is the equally beautiful form 'alba' which boast pure white, perfectly star-shaped flowers. Each flower is centred by five black stamens which heighten the drama. The flowers are edible, garden visitors can be converted to herbal advocates simply by offering a taste of its white flower.

The herb borage is a well known annual with beautiful blue flowers. Not so well known and not often written about is the equally beautiful form 'alba' which boast pure white, perfectly star-shaped flowers. This mixed pack of seeds gives both blue and white forms.

Borage is one of the most reliable sources of blue flowers, often flowering lavishly for weeks after sowing. The beautiful blue star-shaped flowers are edible and very important for bees, providing pollen and nectar in prodigious amounts.

Brachycome is a care-free annual that forms clouds of soft colour. It is one of the most profuse and long-flowering annuals. Cheerful little pinwheels and are held above pale green, feathery foliage. It flowers so heavily that the foliage is often obscured.

Calamintha nepeta is a very attractive bushy, perennial that should be in every garden. Clouds of tiny, lilac-mauve flowers appear in early summer and flower continuously from early June right through to late September. The leaves exude a lovely minty scent when crushed and the flowers are true bee pasture.

‘Indian Prince' has unique petals quite unlike other Calendula, the dark orange rays are in layers of orange, backed with rich mahogany red petals. Easily grown, sown direct in spring or in autumn, they are perfect candidates for cutting and flower arrangements.

Cheerful and bright, use Calendula in beds, borders or containers. Calendula is prolific and durable, and like most hardy annuals it is easy to grow, simply sow where it is to flower. It is currently one of the top herbs used for medicinal use. Sprinkle salads and decorate cakes with the edible tangy petals.

Callistephus chinensis ‘Benary’s Princess Mix’ blooms with glorious, large blooms in a good colour range. This vigorous variety is tolerant of challenging growing conditions, even wet conditions and the large blooms have very long, strong stems. Plant successively over several weeks to stretch out your flowering season.

The Chrysantella series is a magnificent form and is rightfully considered a masterpiece of Aster breeding. Ideal for growing cut flowers, 'Pink Mother of Pearl' are nothing short of spectacular and best described as a delicate cameo peach-pink. The vigorous plants produce a Y-type tall bush. The stems are thick and rigid and just one plant is enough to create a bouquet.

The Chrysantella series is a magnificent form and is rightfully considered a masterpiece of Aster breeding. 'Flamingo at Sunset' is nothing short of spectacular and is ideal for growing cut flowers. Large blooms with petals of an unusually warm, salmon-pink colour with a centre of deep sunset-gold.

Callistephus chinensis, commonly called the China Aster, is a popular and reliable annual that provides large blooms from late June through to late October. 'Chrysantella Living Coral' produces large blooms with petals in a gorgeous deep coral-pink. Each plant is able to produce 10 to 15 flowers per bush.

With large blooms of smoky lavender, 'Chrysantella Moonstone' is an excellent variety. Cut flowers last much longer than other varieties and the flowers are not damaged by rain. The vigorous plants produce 10 to 15 flowers per bush, just one plant is enough to create a bouquet.

The large milk-white flowers of Aster 'Chrysantella Phantom of the Opera' are nothing short of spectacular. Perfect for use in wedding work, the entire growing process from seedling to flower taking just 10 to 15 weeks to complete. Cut flowers last much longer than other varieties and just one plant is enough to create a bouquet.

Callistephus 'King Size Appleblossom’ produces pale pink to purple-pink blooms which fade to cream at the centre. Sow at any time from January to July for flowering April through to October, sowing to flowering takes just 90 days. Plant successively over several weeks to stretch out your flowering season.

Callistephus chinensis 'King Size Apricot' is an unusual light soft peach-apricot Aster with large, fully double flowers with slightly curved petals up to 8cm (3in) in diameter and sturdy stems to 100cm tall. Showy without being garish they are perfect for today’s specialty florists, cut-flower farms and farmers markets.

With Chrysanthemum-like incurving petals that are sure to capture the imagination of every self respecting cut flower enthusiast. China Aster 'Lady Coral Chamois' produces captivating pale chamois-pink, incurved blooms are absolutely stunning. A perfect addition for late summer and autumn bouquets.

One of the most eye-catching Asters we have seen in a long while. 'Lady Coral Lavender' produces captivating silvery lavender, large blooms that are absolutely stunning. Gorgeous great mounds of glorious recurved petals, they are a must-grow for the exquisite colouring alone.

Sure to capture the imagination of every self respecting cut flower enthusiast, 'Lady Coral' is one of the most eye-catching Asters we have seen in a long while. 'Light Rose' produces captivating rose-pink, incurved blooms that are absolutely stunning and the entire growing process from seedling to flower taking just 10 to 15 weeks to complete.

A professional quality aster that was developed specifically for the cut flower market, the 'Lady Coral' series feature Chrysanthemum-like incurving petals that are sure to capture the imagination of every self respecting cut flower enthusiast. The large blooms of 'Orange-Apricot' are a must grow for their exquisite colouring.

With Chrysanthemum-like incurving petals that are sure to capture the imagination of every self respecting cut flower enthusiast. China Aster 'Lady Coral Salmon' produces captivating salmon pink blooms that are absolutely stunning. Sow January to July for flowering April through to October.

Developed specifically for the cut flower market, Callistephus 'Matsumoto Apricot' will be a very fashionable addition to any garden or vase. Easy to grow, from sowing to flowering takes just 90 days, producing tall, sturdy stems with large heads of beautifully soft, semi-double Apricot blooms.