How To Grow

Annual Lavatera is also known as Mallow or Annual Tree Mallow. Latin Lavatera trimestris Family: Malvaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 2-10 Timing Start indoors in peat or coir pots 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow outdoors in early spring when light frost is still possible, around mid-March on the coast. If starting indoors, maintain a soil temperature of 21°C (70°F). Seeds will sprout in 15-20 days. Transplant after last frost, being careful not to disrupt the roots. If direct sowing, repeat every 2 weeks until the nights get warmer for a longer...

Annual flowers that are confusingly referred to interchangably as Clarkia or Godetia, and even Eucharidium. We believe that Clarkia is correct. Plant Clarkia in cool, moist ,well-drained soil. Avoid nitrogen-rich beds and planting beside nitrogen fixers (beans, peas, clover, lupins…). Flowering will be reduced in hot weather. While plants are still small, intersperse your Clarkia bed with twiggy branches to provide support as they grow. Tall plants will need staking. Crowding Clarkia plants may increase flower production. Clarkia may self-sow.  Follow along with this handy How to Grow Clarkia from seed Guide and grow some colour in your garden this spring.! Latin...

Familiar annuals with intensely coloured flowers. Sometimes listed as Edging Lobelia. Latin Lobelia erinus Family: Campanulaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Zone: 1-10 Timing Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out, and do not plant out until nighttime temperatures are reliably 10°C (60°F) or warmer. On the coast this means sowing indoors around in early April, and planting out in late May. You may have some germination by direct sowing outdoors, but starting indoors is highly recommended. Starting Sow on the surface of a bagged seed starting mix. Do not cover the dust-like seeds....

Cosmos will flower more in poor soil, rather than rich, so avoid manures and fertilizers. Pinch out the growing point when plants are around 45cm (18″) tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowering points. Water during very dry spells, but otherwise, Cosmos is well suited to xeriscaping. Seeds are easy to harvest and save. These annual plants that are sometimes referred to as Cosmea. Latin Cosmos bipinnatus & C. sulfureus Family: Asteraceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 2-10 Timing Direct sow from early March right up until mid-June. Several sowings will result in a very...

General Celosia is a relative of Amaranth, and native to the highlands of East Africa where it is known in Swahili as mfungu. Today’s cultivated Celosias have been selected for the brightness of their colours and compactness of growth. You will sometimes see Celosia listed by the common names Cockscomb or Woolflower. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Celosia Guide and grow some fun colour in your rock garden this season. Latin Celosia plumosa Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Zone: 2-10 Timing Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, in peat or coir pots –...