Hardy biennials live for two years. They grow from seed to planting-out size the first year and flower in the second. They die at the end of their flowering year. A few are actually short-lived perennials and will come back again to flower for more than one year.

Available late August onwards and all except wallflowers, again in spring. 

The flowering times given are only a guide and may alter depending on the altitude of your garden and from year to year depending on the weather.

These are the main varieties we grow:

AT ONLY £1.16 FOR A PACK OF SIX PLANTS:

WALLFLOWER (ULTRA-DWARF MIXED). 

A very short variety. Suitable for containers in windy positions or bedding-out. March to mid-May flowering. 20cm (8 inches).

WALLFLOWER (DWARF). 

Available in separate colours: 

crimson/scarlet, orange, deep golden-yellow or lemon-yellow. 

March to mid-May flowering. 25cm (10 inches).

WALLFLOWER (TALL MIXED). 

These are a good variety of the ordinary Wallflower. March to mid-May flowering. 50cm (20 inches).

AT ONLY £1.42 FOR A PACK OF SIX PLANTS:

CANTERBURY BELLS. (CUP & SAUCER). 

Tall stems covered with colourful, cup-and-saucer flowers (a mixture of white, pink and blue). Summer flowering, they will grow in sun or light shade. 76cm (30 inches).

EVENING PRIMROSE (OENOTHERA). 

The flowers only last a day, but are produced in great profusion over an extended period during the summer months. The name is misleading, they look nothing like primroses, but their yellow flowers can brighten up a summer evening. They prefer full sun. 60cm (24 inches).

HONESTY (LUNARIA). 

Often called Moon Pennies after their flat, round, silvery seedpods.

 This is one plant you don't deadhead. The purple or white flowers

 are attractive and the dried seedpods can be used for winter decoration. 

Does best in partial shade. April-June flowering. 

Cut the pods in August. 60cm (24 inches).

POPPY (ICELAND). 

These colourful poppies flower from May to August 

and will grow on most soils, in sun or light shade. 

Mixed colours. 37½cm (15 inches).

MYOSOTIS (FORGET-ME-NOTS). 

We grow the dwarf F1 hybrid varieties (if you let them self-seed their offspring are likely to be less compact). Pink or white varieties are available as well as the traditional blue with white eye. They prefer a well-drained soil and light shade; water well in dry weather. April-May flowering. 15cm (6 inches).

SWEET WILLIAM (DWARF). 

This variety is a short-lived perennial and provided you cut them back after flowering they will come again the following year. 

They do not like a soil that is too acid and prefer to grow in full sun, but these tough little plants will grow in most positions.

 Mixed colours, June-July flowering. 15cm(6 inches).

SWEET WILLIAM. 

As above, but if you keep them a second year the flower quality is likely to be poor (more stems - fewer florets). Mixed colours and scarlet, pink or magenta as separates. June-July flowering. 45cm (18 inches).

WALLFLOWER (SIBERIAN). 

These summer-flowering varieties (May-June) come in three colours: soft lilac-purple, golden-yellow, and bright orange. Always clip back after flowering; you may get another batch of flowers and they will probably come back another year, anyway. Like all Wallflowers they like lime and are very good at removing nutrients from the soil so remember to dig in plenty of organic feed after you finally take them out as the next plants you put in that position will need it.

AT 47p EACH:

DIPSACUS FULLONUM (FULLERS TEASEL).

A firm favourite with dried-flower arrangers. 

They do well on heavy clay, in full sun or partial shade. 

AT 59p EACH:

MYOSOTIS. New, larger-flowered F1 hybrids. 

They prefer a well-drained soil and light shade, water well in dry weather. April-May flowering. 20cm (8 inches).

AT 85p EACH:

VERBASCUM. 

Silver leaves and yellow flowers, June-August. They require a well-drained, sunny position. 90cm (36 inches).

ISATIS tinctoria (WOAD).

Clusters of bright yellow flowers (attractive to bees) are produced in early summer. 60cm (24"). Really a short lived perennial; they are best treated as biennials. In the wild they thrive on rocky ground, but you will have most success if you plant them in full sun, in a reasonably fertile, well-drained soil. They are ideal for planting in wild gardens where they may be encouraged to self-seed so that the clump becomes permanent with no need to re-plant each year.

The leaves produce a blue dye when boiled. This dye was extensively used as body paint before we were 'civilized' by the Romans. The temptation to emulate Ancient Britons should be resisted, as it could stain clothing, may be difficult to remove from skin and there is always the risk of experiencing an allergic reaction to the dye.

OENOTHERA (Evening primrose) SUNSET BOULEVARD.

This variety of Evening primrose 

produces flowers from lemon-yellow to orange, 

maturing apricot to red. 60cm (24 inches). 

Flowering from July to September they require a well-drained, sunny position.

REHMANNIA AGULATA (CHINESE FOXGLOVE).

152cm (60"). 

Pink flowers are produced 

throughout summer and autumn. 

Rehmannia need a  well-drained, 

sheltered position in full sun.

PARACARYUM coelestium MEDITERRANIA.

60cm (24 inches).

Producing clusters of blue flowers 

from June to September 

they require a well-drained, sunny position.  

AT £1.39 EACH:

ONOPORDON ACANTHIUM (SCOTTISH THISTLE).

At 250cm (98 inches) the silver leaved Scottish thistle can make an imposing addition to any herbaceous border. 

A well drained position in full sun suits them best. Purple or white flowers are produced July-August. 

This variety may self-seed (deposit seeds capable of growing into replacement plants). If you wish to prevent this, simply prune off and destroy the flower heads as soon as the flowers fade.