WEED OUT THE WINNERS
NEVER underestimate the value of arable weeds. They annoy farmers by spoiling crops, but gardeners have cherished them for centuries. Many, such as poppies, larkspur and cornflowers, are really beautiful in their wild forms. Others have been enhanced by centuries of breeding and come in a rich variety of forms and colours. The wild field pansy, for example, would only excite a botanist, but cultivated pansies are loved by all.
No wonder gardeners employ arable weeds — they are bright, beautiful annuals that are plucky and easy to grow. The fastest bloom less than eight weeks after sowing and if you choose the right varieties, they can provide a show all summer long.
There are two seasons for sowing hardy annual seeds: spring and autumn. And now is the perfect moment for s cattering t hem. The s oi l is warm but still moist, and the seeds are so eager to grow that they’ll almost jump out of the packet.
NO-FUSS FLOWERS
WHEN you recognise the value of annuals, it’s hard to understand why they’re not even more popular. Sowing — if your soil is in good shape — couldn’t be easier. Use a light touch with hoe or rake to break up the surface and remove weed seedlings. Simply open the packet, sprinkle the seed sparsely and rake lightly.
Sun and rain do the rest but you may have to thin out seedlings if they become overcrowded. If you do that while they’re still young, you can re-plant the ‘thinnings’ where there’s more space.
Some people object to annuals because they’re gone in a season and don’t give value. Nonsense. In the right conditions, most will self-sow year after year. I’m still enjoying wild cornflowers from seed collected in France in 1980. They self- sow naturally each autumn and I do nothing but enjoy the intense blue flowers.
Old gardening books recommend growing annuals on their own, in special beds. They also say fertile soil is best and recommend hefty feeding. But that doesn’t suit modern or naturalistic gardening.
The beauty of annuals lies in their natural simplicity. They’re charming grown in wild-looking blends — as seen in the spectacular flower meadows at the 2012 Olympics, or behind the glasshouse at RHS Wisley, in Surrey.
BUTTERFLY FRIENDLY
IF you want to grow annuals on their own, plan for a harmonious mixture. Blend Shirley poppies with love-in-a-mist, pale blue Phacelia tanacetifolia, cornflowers, wild corn marigold and mignonette for scent. Or, buy a ready mix such as Suttons Mixed
VERBENA bonariensis flowers from June to October, producing lilac-purple flowers on tall stems (up to 2m). Hardy 6cm module-grown plants supplied. Buy six for £8.99 or 12 for £17.98 and get six free. Delivery within 14 days. Order by debit/credit card on 0844 472 4161 quoting MGS949, at mailgardenshop.co.uk, or send a cheque payable to Mail Garden Shop to Mail Garden Shop, Verbena bonariensis Offer, Dept. MGS949, 14-16 Hadfield Street, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 9FG. Flower Seed at £1.99 for 2,500 seeds. Mr Fothergill’s also supplies an insect friendly mix, Butterfly World, for £2.20. Annuals also make excellent gap fillers.
If you scatter seeds of annual poppies, Chrysanthemum carinatum, godetias or calendulas in between permanent plants, they’ll give an interim show.
For hot, dry spots Californian poppies, Eschscholzia, harmonise with such silver-leaved sub-shrubs as artemisias and sages. I’ve sown E. Red Chief. Its dark orange-red flowers shine among the ferny, blue-grey leaves.
For contrast nearby, I’ve sown pale-flowered E. Butter Bush. I hope the dark and light varieties will cross to produce progeny in sunset hues.
That’s another great thing about annuals — you can encourage promiscuity and raise your own hybrids — by pulling up plants whose colours or habits you dislike and allowing the remainder to go on reproducing year after year.
That’s pretty good value, from two original packets of seed costing a total of £2.98.