The bright neon like colours of these daisies make every garden brighter. The ground hugging plants will spread about 4 inches then be covered in masses of flowers that close up slightly in the late afternoon.

• The leaves are narrow fleshy and have a crystaline texture that lead to another common name Ice plant.
• They are easy to grow as half hardy annuals from their very fine seed with a bit of warmth in April
• Self colours are now available in orange and yellow but the multi-coloured mixes are still the most common
• The genera of Mesembryanthemaceae embrace a wide range of succulent plants including Dorotheanus, Phyllobolus, Dactylopsis, Hereroa Psammophora, Lithops and Lapidaria

Alliums produce some of the most interesting seedheads. Each capsule is about to burst on this Allium cristophii (AGM) sending dozens of hard black seeds to perpetuate the family.

There are over a thousand species of Allium or onion and this is one of the most eye-catching of them all both in flower and in seed. Large flowered Alliums should be planted in groups of odd numbers to enhance the effect. They like a sunny site where it will tolerate competition from other roots. Each spherical flower-head helps create a perfect ball shape. The complete stem will last for many weeks as part of a dried flower arrangement.

Other Plants to Grow for their Seed Heads

• Pampass Grass (Cortaderia selloana) for the large fluffy plumes and a whole range of other grasses
• Teasels (Dipsacus) to feed the birds and to catch the frost
• Honesty for the shimmering white seed heads
• Iris Foetidissma for the red berries bursting out of the seed pod
• Paeonia lactiflora for the red furry seed head
• Zea Mais, Mexican Corn on the cob for the multi-coloured cobs after drying
• Papaver, Phlomis fruticosa, Phlomis samia/russelliana, Phormium tenax are also recommended by the gardener

The Daily Telegraph report that a new range of Organic Seeds are to be available from Duchy Originals. This announcement coincides with Prince Charles visit to Ryton the Garden Organic establishment (HDRA).

It amuses me to see amongst the range of tools on sale at Duchy Originals a Dutch Hoe but may be I am confused somewhere with the Prince of Orange.

Sunflower Food Crops

• Plants are grown commercially to produce sunflower oil and sunflower margarine.
• Do not eat the petals but you can grow sunflowers for their seeds to bake in to bread, use about a quarter of sunflower seeds to the amount flour you use.
• Sprouted sunflower seeds are full of goodness and easy to grow. Rinse your crop of seeds throwing away any floaters and leave in a jar of cold water. The following day pour away the water and leave he jar on its side until the seeds sprout. Check regularly throwing away any bad ones and rinse away the husks. In less than a fortnight you will have sprouts for a stir fry or sandwich.
• Seeds can be used as a garnish for salads or eaten as they are.
• Use seeds as a crumble topping with oats or add to root vegetable soups.
• Grow Jerusalem artichoke part of the sunflower family and eat like potatoes
• Birds love the rich sunflower seed

These pink cornflowers are two feet tall. In a vase cut 12 inches long they last 6 or 7 days and are attractive on there own or with simple foliage. They were bought from Wallis seeds and sown broadcast in late spring.

I didn’t even bother thining the plants out and they are robust and full of bud and flower, one of the successes of this slow summer so far.

Seeds for Next Year

• New catalogues have started arriving so I have started to list a few plants I have seen around that I want to try growing next for year.
• Cornflower are available in more than the powder blue of the fields. There are Pink, Red, White, Black and Blue in packets from 50p up to 25gms for less than £2.50 which will equate to a heck of a lot of flower power.
• The perennial Malva have flowered very strongly and I like this White Musk Mallow, Malva Mocschata alba agm. Next year I may also try M. ‘Appleblossom’

It is the scented leaves of Pelargoniums rather than the flower that attracts growers and collectors. They are often used in scented gardens for the blind but are useful in a normal garden border where they may be brushed or touched. As indoor pot plants they are ideal as living pot-pourri and may be hybrids or species in their own right.

Top 10 Scented leaved Pelargoniums

1. Pelargonium Fragrans Variegata a small plant with lots of scented green and white leaves with the aroma of spice, pine and lemon.
2. Mable Grey woody and harder to grow but heavy lemon scented leaves
3. P. graveolens Lady Plymouth a strong grower favoured for exhibitions with a rose like scent
4. Prince of Orange is an old variety that as the name implies smells of orange
5. Little gem is a dwarf grower with a spicy scent that remains fresh until late in the year
6. Attar of Roses is small and compact with plentiful multi lobed leaves
7. Other possible contenders for ‘a top of list’ include P tomentosum (peppermint), P clorinds (pine), and P. quercifolium an aquired pungency not to everyones taste.
8. There are a range of fruit and nut scented varieties like Countess of Scarborough (strawberry), Big Apple and Patrons Unique (apricot)
9. Not to my taste is the Chocolate Peppermint with brown leaves that are mint scented

Cultivation tips

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Similar to spinach with a slightly bitter flavour Swiss Chard is pungent and slightly salty. It contains an exceptionally impressive list of health promoting nutrients. Although Swiss Chard is available throughout the year, its season runs from June through August when it is at its best.

• Swiss Chard is a tall leafy green vegetable with a thick, crunchy stalk that comes in white, red or yellow with wide fan-like green leaves.
• It is ornamental enough to grow in the border.
• Chard is easy to grow from seed and grows upto 18 inches tall and spread.
• Eat and cook Chards like spinach. Both the leaves and stalk of chard are edible, although the stems vary in texture with the white ones being the most tender.
• ‘Ruby Red’ has stunning deep veins and can be picked young.
• ‘Bright Lights’ is a seed mixture ready within a month
• Organic seed is available and if growing it organically watch out for slugs

This old garden favourite is an easy annual to grow from seed. Cornflower blue is the common form sometimes called ‘Bluebottle’ with its fluffy ball like heads and a strong clear blue colour.

• This plant is Black boy and grows up too three feet tall.
• The flowers are good for cutting or for growing in a pot for the cold greenhouse
• Dwarf varieties come in a polkadot of colours including blue,maroon, purple, red, lilac pink, and white.
• A lot of plant and fun for £1.50 or so. Good for children to grow. Easy to collect the seed for next year
• Grow with other plants for support or put in a few hazel sticks

Tips with Perennial Sea Thrift

• Looks good in walls and rockeries and will stand an open windy position
• Deadheading will prolong flowering.
• Makes a clump of grass like leaves and flower stalks are 6 inches long with white pink or red flowers
• Dividing large clumps should be done in early spring to rejuvenate plant.
• Can be grown from seed
• Prefers well drained soil or the plant may rot in center.
• Sea Pinks do not need fertiliser but like a sandy soil.

Has the Antirrhinum majus got a scent

Originally these self pollinating plants and flowers had no scent . As they do not need insects to pollinate them a scent has no purpose. Other members of the family such as Penstemon and Nemesia are also devoid of scent.

In the 1960’s several hybrids with tall spikes, ruffled double petals and a sweet perfume were developed. Growing over 30 inches tall and developing many spikes the three best varieties were

1. Vanguard a deep cerise colour with a strong clove like scent
2. Venus semi-double peach and pink with a softer perfume
3. Super Jet with apricot yellow flowers

How the ‘Snapdragon’ got its name.

Was it Saint George spearing the Dragon and the blood fertilising the soil. Or perhaps it was the snap of the dragons jaws as it chased the fair maiden before St George arrived on the scene.

More likely is the Henry Phillips 1820’s version ‘on pressing the sides of the flower it opens like a gaping mouth, the stigma appearing to represent the tongue and on removing the pressure the lips of the corrola snap together …’

Cultivation Tips

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