Flowers to sow

Continue to sow hardy annuals outdoors, as well as native wildflowers and sweet peas at the base of supports. ‘Any under-cover sowing is now the job to be done,’ explains plantswoman Sarah Raven, who recommends some of her favourites to sow under cover in April for fantastic cut flowers this summer and autumn.

ZINNIA ELEGANS have a long picking season, and spectacular, huge flowers with an excellent vase life.

The ‘Giant Dahlia Mix’ (above) is a wonderful blend of oranges, reds, pinks and yellows. We sow zinnias under cover in guttering around mid April, to avoid root disturbances when planting out. Harden off seedlings before planting out after the spring frosts. Pinch out the tips as you plant to encourage more flowers. They will flower from July until October.

TITHONIA ROTUNDIFOLIA ‘Torch’ is one of my favourite summer and autumn flowers, with luxurious, orange flowers for autumn picking. Sow the seeds of these plants, known as Mexican sunflowers, under cover now and plant them out in May to

July. They like lots of sun and grow tall, so may need staking. They will flower four months after sowing, between July to September. XEROCHRYSUM BRACTEATUM ‘Salmon Rose’ is a mix of every tone of coffee, peach and salmon. The whole strawflower brigade looks good dried through the year. Sow seed thinly indoors, pressing gently onto the surface of compost and keep moist. Once seedlings emerge (within one to two weeks), pot on and move to a cooler position before planting out in May to June, after the last frosts, for flowers from July to October.