Blog: Orange and blue flowers, plus herbs, lead the way in my garden
Although I haven’t started sowing yet, I’ve already made my top seed choices for the year. The heat mat’s out, the staging’s cleaned – all ready to get going!
In the past, I’ve been seduced into sowing far too soon, leading to leggy, weak growth due to a lack of light. I’ve also used grow lamps, but no more. I prefer to save electricity now and wait until natural light levels are higher (the beginning of March). Remember, by the 21st, there are equal levels of daylight and darkness. Plants catch up, and by cutting back on excess heat after germination and the best light possible, you’ll grow sturdy, better seedlings.
Here are my top seed choices for this year:
Flowers
Four out of my five annuals are trial packets, based on a colour palette of blue/purple and orange/red. From Mr Fothergill’s are Gomphrena Atomic Purple, Salpiglossis Kew Blue and Cosmos Mandarin. Burpee Europe has bred the dwarf red sunflower Desire Red. I’m also adding a free packet of Red Sun sunflower seeds.
Top seed choices – Exotics
Most of these seeds were a gift from my daughter Vanessa – the half-hardy succulent Delosperma floribunda Stardust and butterfly pea (Clitoria), both with blue flowers. She also bought me Cleome Rose Queen, which should be interesting.
Add to this a trial packet of Canna Large-Flowered Hybrids from Mr Fothergill’s – very compact.
Peppers and chillies
The sweet pepper Sweetonia Mix is a trial packet from Suttons, with bite-sized fruit with a hint of heat. The mystery chilli seeds from South Devon Chilli Farm were a gift – I’m always up for a surprise!
Top seed choices – Tomatoes
I’m going back to cordon (intermediate) tomatoes this year. Although I’ve tried several bush varieties during the last few years, the yield hasn’t been great. Although I can reach them to harvest, their business brings another problem in a long, thin conservatory!
I always grow Rosella, my favourite, and am giving Green Zebra another go. Last time, plants had a huge yield, but my partner wasn’t keen – apparently, they’re known as a ‘Marmite flavour’. New this year are Tigerella, Kings of Colour and a free packet of Alfresco, a bush type.
Just arrived are three trial varieties from Burpee Europe – Black Moon, Bliss and Toddler. I don’t know much about them yet, but I’ll be posting about them as soon as the details come in!
Herbs
I’ve decided to grow more herbs this year, as they’re so expensive to buy. They take up very little room and can transform a dish. As well as the flat leaf parsley and dill Einck’s Strain pictured, I’m looking for lawn chamomile seeds to grow in between paving. My father-in-law bought me three low-growing thyme plants and a creeping rosemary to go in the gravel near the summerhouse. I’m sure more will be added!
Top seed choices for this summer updated 2025
