Great Seed Catalogues for Gardeners

I keep all my seed catalogues in an old box. Periodically they get thrown out but I find they are a great source of information and inspiration. I regularly buy from Wallis Seeds and Chiltern Seeds both catalogues that have not gone to the expense of glossy photographs. I am more selective when buying from the bigger well know suppliers on the grounds of cost and am just as likely to pick up a packet at B&Q or similar own brand.

Wallis Seeds don’t have a web site that I can find but have an email: wallis.seeds@virgin.net They are based in Broads Green Great Waltham Chelmsford Essex 01245 360413. For Calendula (Pot Marigolds) they offer 9 varieties from 57p to £1.65 for a new variety ‘Golden Princess ‘fully double flowers with tubular disk florets on long stems, excellent cut flowers 50cm tall’ I like buying by weight for some varieties that I can scatter willy-nilly so 15 gms of Calendula ‘Pacific Beauty’ or ‘Art Shades’ will cost only £1.82

Chiltern Seeds of Ulverston Cumbria have a web site www.chilternseeds.co.uk in the 220 page densely packed catalogue. They offer 16 varieties and mixes of Calendula Officinalis -Marigold seeds ( They are good for providing Latin names) After an introduction about the species they also provide flowing comments on each variety e.g. ‘Orange Porcupine This is a splendid new variety highly likely eventually to become an old favourite. Like its kin almost embarrassingly easy to grow it bears cheerful vivid orange flowers with unusual quilled petals to give a modern fashionable porcupine effect’ 15-18 inches Hardy Annual £1.78 per packet. They also have a good range of mixes and special mixtures in the tall thin shaped catalogue.

Good luck with your seed purchases or just hunting for information.