It’s time for bedder!
Border pleasers with something for everyone, says Ruth
THE plant that grows from this week’s free seeds is a winner on every level. Echium ‘Blue Bedder’ not only brings swathes of delicious soft blue flowers to your borders that will last right through summer and well into early winter in sheltered gardens, but it is wonderful at attracting pollinators.
Also known as ‘blue devil’, ‘cats tail’ and ‘snake flower’ as well as the betterknown ‘viper’s bugloss’, it is a member of the borage family. Its nectar-rich, brilliant blue flowers grow in a compact shape, making it perfect for the front of borders, and if left after flowering, garden birds will feast on its nutritious seeds, while any that are left will happily bed in and germinate around the garden.
These are hardy plants so they can be sown outside all year round, but to be safe I am sowing some undercover now and will start a second batch in a few weeks’ time in the garden.
This way, increased germination is assured and the staggered sowings will give a longer flowering period.
When sowing undercover, scatter the seeds thinly onto tamped and dampened seed compost, then cover with a thin layer of same. Lid the tray and set it on a light, warm windowsill until germination, when you should remove the lid.
When sowing direct, clear the area of weeds and stones and break up any clumps of soil. Rake the soil to create a crumble-like texture, then water and sow the seeds thinly. Cover with a little more soil and label the seedbed so it isn’t disturbed accidentally. Use twigs or harmless animal deterrent crystals to stop pests disturbing the seeds.