Home-grown Blooms

10 flowers to grow yourself.

10 flowers you can enjoy growing and picking at home

Acouple of summers ago my eldest daughter came home from kindergarten with three tiny sunflower seedlings. She eagerly raced to grab a trowel and found a sunny spot to plant them around the side of the house. I was amazed at her commitment to those sunflowers; she would water them everyday and as they got taller she decided they needed to be staked and tied carefully with some old stockings to keep them from falling over. It became a daily ritual for our family to see how much they had grown overnight. It must have been all that love, because those sunflowers grew to be enormous. Their huge golden faces drew comments from neighbours and passersby.

Growing and picking your own flowers is one of life’s most magical experiences. They’re also the ultimate joy bringer when given away; it’s often the simplest things in life that can bring the most happiness.

There are so many flowers that can be grown easily in your own garden. The trick is to choose varieties that suit your climate, environment and also the amount of time you have available.

Annuals vs perennials

Annuals are typically planted in spring/ summer, bloom for the season, and then die. They are ideal for picking as the more flowers you pick the more they produce. Perennials are flowers that continue to grow after remaining dormant throughout the winter. Many perennials begin flowering in early spring.

Sunflower

Large flower heads with bright yellow petals. Some varieties can be orange or red. Sunflowers can be sown directly from August through to January and they love full sun. These thrive with daily watering, but be careful of overwatering. Flowers will appear in summer and autumn. Annual.

Alstroemeria

One of the most popular perennials for bouquets, and last for weeks in a vase. Plant in spring or early summer to pick throughout summer and autumn. Grow alstroemerias in full sun in cool climates or in part shade where it’s warmer. Makes a great garden border plant. Perennial.

Freesia

Freesia produce dainty, beautifully scented trumpets along one side of their flower stems. These plants enjoy full sun, in a free draining spot. Plant freesia bulbs from January through to April. They will flower from middle to late winter through to mid-spring. Perennial.

Dahlia

Considered to be one of the most spectacular garden flowers. Plant from late August to late October or after last frost. Dahlias will develop buds from early summer and bloom through the autumn, or until the weather cools considerably. Taller varieties will need staking. Annual.

Sweet pea

Produce an abundance of colourful, beautifully scented flowers that you can pick continually once in bloom. Sweet peas like full sun and are climbers so grow them near a trellis or similar. Sow during early autumn for frost free areas, or in cooler climates sow in early spring. Annual.

Peony

Hardy flowers that do well in cold, frosty conditions only as they require the cold to be able to form flower buds. Autumn is the best time to plant. Most varieties flower from late October through to early December. Beautiful and romantic flowers, grown in a variety of colours. Perennial.

Poppy

Delicate and brightly coloured flowers on long stems. Seeds can be scattered and left as they only need sunlight and water to germinate. In mild climates they are best sown in autumn, but in cold climates spring planting is better. Annual or perennial depending on variety.

Cosmos

Bright, open-faced flowers that like full sun to part shade and can be grown in most soils. Freely flowering and easy to grow. Sow or plant in early spring and summer countrywide. Cosmos bloom from summer to early autumn. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies to the garden. Annual.

Lily

Lilies have tall stems with large flowers and come in a range of colours. Oriental varieties are highly fragrant while Asiatics have little to no scent. Bulbs are available from May and are best planted straight away although they can be planted any time until September. Perennial.

Ranunculus

Have ornate flowers that appear in spring. They enjoy full sun and light watering. In low frost and warm climates, plant mid to late autumn. In colder areas, plant in late winter or spring when frosts are nearly finished. Can be grown as annual or perennial depending on climate.