Time is right for sowing herbaceous

Container-grown herbaceous perennials are relatively expensive to buy per unit but for an outlay of £2 to £3 you can have 30 to 70 seeds in a packet depending on choice. Granted, they need a year or so after germination to reach the planting-out stage but in my experience it’s worthwhile.

In recent times we’ve sown Pyrethrum ‘Large Flowered Hybrids’ (100 seeds for £1.99), Echinacea ‘Purpurea’ (60 seeds for £2.99) Coreopsis (100 seeds for (£1.99) and Gazania ‘Super Hybrid Mixed’ (44 seeds for £2.79). Even with a modest germination rate the potential for a money-saving activity is clear, and this has come to pass!

These four summer flowering treasures, planted in groups, have started to make their annual contribution, blending into the borders. When you propagate in this way there is always an excess of plants, but nothing is wasted. Charitable coffee morning stalls, the local garden club or acquaintances are always willing to take them off your hands.

Luckily, the timing is just right for sowing herbaceous perennials outdoors. A spare area in the vegetable garden is a favourite choice because the soil is good and sun shines on that spot. We make a drill with the back of a rake and water it with the can and rose attachment to compensate for the dry conditions. Sow the seeds thinly first then add any remaining to the drill. Offer a 2cms covering of soil and water them in. During drought conditions water them daily, anticipating the first germination within two weeks.

There’s still time to sow wallflowers in the same way for autumn planting. Packets of ‘Cloth of Gold’ and ‘Persian Carpet Mixed’ deliver 400 plus seeds respectively for under £2.

That is value for money!