July

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 ficifolia is a less-known variety of hollyhock. Reliably perennial, with attractive palmate foliage, the plant produces many upright stems and has a bushy form. 'Single Mix' produces large, single saucer shaped flowers that appear from May to October in a gorgeous variety of shades - cream, gold, rose pink, copper and plum.

‘Chater’s Double’ give a wonderful mixed colour range of large, fully double flowers that are nearly pom-pom in appearance. Rosettes of big hairy leaves will develop by autumn then die back before winter. It will bloom the following summer .... the word bloom being an understatement!

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.

Until a few years ago you would never have seen wild garlic on a menu, but these days is definitely a chefs' favourite. The whole plant is edible. The flavour is softer, more pleasant than cloves from garlic bulbs. The leaves have a vibrant colour that brings food to life.

Speckled and freckled and striped and stippled, the intricately patterned petals of the Alstroemeria flower are a wonder to behold. Don't be fooled by their delicate appearance, they are one of the worlds' most popular cut flowers, these lily-like flowers are as long lasting as they are gorgeous.

In addition to having one of the most unusual names, Antirrhinum braun-blanquetii, is also one of the few hardy perennial species of snapdragon. Named for Josias Braun-Blanquet an influential 20th century Swiss botanist it bloom the first year from seed producing numerous spikes from which delicate yellow, large snapdragon blooms appear.

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 ‘Brighton Rock’ is of a type that has been in cultivation since the 19th Century. Updated and revamped, it can now be found marketed as ‘Bizarre Hybrids’. Some blooms are delicately marbled, others are speckled and striped. The brighter, contrasting colours are accentuated with the most beautiful, subtle coloured blooms.

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 'Kimosy' is a lovely dwarf variety of Snapdragon with a tidy, compact habit. An all-around excellent garden performer, the plants perform well in containers, in beds or in borders. In a wide range of colours they flower 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.

Antirrhinum majus are one of the most reliable flowers for the garden and one of the most important 'summer cut-flowers' grown from seed. Although the usually bloom in boldly painted, bright primary colours, its lovely to be offered a softer option. 'Orange Wonder' has the most beautiful and delicate, orange-rose blooms.

Though technically classified as a short lived perennial, Antirrhinum majus are often cultivated as an annual, sown early in spring to flower in summer. They can also be grown as a biennial, sown in late summer to flower the following season. 'Rose' blooms with beautifully soft rose pink flowers.

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.

Antirrhinum sempervirens is a very hardy, perennial shrub from rocky sites in the Spanish Pyrenees. Creamy white snapdragon blooms over a long spring and summer period, they are beautifully marked with purple in the throats. It makes a charming plant for a sunny spot in the rock garden or a frontal spot in the border.

Catananche caerulea 'Amor Blue' is a charming plant, with blue, star like flowers each with a dark eye and unique papery petals. They look best when grown in groupings, rather than one or two plants and don’t mind crowding. Plant en-masse in prairie style or meadow plantings, mix them up a little with other hardy perennials and grasses.