Q Which perennials can I grow from seed to make attractive carpet bedding?
A ANNE SAYS Carpet bedding became popular during the Victorian era. The plants used were usually tender and most were novelty introductions, such as Alternanthera ficoidea amoena, a tender perennial evergreen reaching only 5cm high, the dark-red Iresinelindenii (which needs clipping), Aptenia cordifolia and echeverias. Some of these can be grown from seed, usually in autumn, kept frost-free during winter, grown on in spring and planted for summer display. You could also try golden feverfew, ajuga and acaena for its metalliclooking foliage.