6 flowers to sow now
Zinnia
With one of the widest ranging colour spectrums imaginable in one genus, zinnias are some of the most eye-catching in the summer carnival. Though there are a plethora of dwarf varieties, the taller selections offer the true character of the plant. Flowers Jun-Sep Height x Spread 60-80cm x 30cm
Cosmos
Though my favourite cosmos is ‘Purity’, the more recently developed, flame-coloured varieties, like Cosmos sulphureus, are dazzling, with quantities of single and semidouble orange and yellow flowers. Plenty of pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies. F Jul-Oct HxS 75cm x 30cm
Rudbeckia
Providing months of sunny colour, this is one of the most rewarding of annuals. I grow ‘Rustic Dwarfs’. Seedlings are slow to develop but later come on by leaps and bounds. Nurture even the weakest seedlings as they often turn out to have rich mahogany flowers. F Jul-Oct HxS 60cm x 20cm
Mallow
I love varieties such as ‘Mystic Merlin’, with striking magenta flowers and darker striations on metre-high stems. Grow the large seeds, one to each module compartment, then move to 9cm pots and then into the border. Will stand some shade and still flower prolifically. F Jun-Sep HxS 1.5m x 1m
Dahlia
Easy to germinate, ‘Bishop’s Children’ is one of the best seed strains. Keep potting on before planting out. By autumn, tubers will have formed and you can lift them, store frost-free over winter and keep them going from year to year. Bronze foliage and vivid flowers. F July-Oct HxS 60cm x 30cm
Tagetes
Often grown as a companion plant to deter aphids, the single-flowered red forms are fantastic in their own right. My favourite is ‘Linnaeus’, which has prolific mahogany petals rimmed in gold. Deadhead religiously for maximum flowers. Save your own seed! F May-Oct HxS 45cm x 20cm