Delphiniums

The Delphinium is a favorite amongst many gardeners for the obvious reason of it’s striking beauty, with over 300 species of Delphinium, some growing from seed, some perennial and some annual you are spoilt for choice with this gorgeous plant.

Available in mostly pink, blue, white and pink and grown for it’s showy flowers this plant works perfectly in your cottage style gardens.

However, it does come with it’s difficulties!

Delphiniums prefer moist cool summers and indirect heat, they also dislike sudden rain and winds which is all we are accustomed to during English spring / summer time!

Most Delphiniums will need staking due to their height, once all the flowers have finished cut the stalk the ground, it will begin to flower, these new flowers will survive the oncoming cold weathers and some mild frosts of winter.

They are also susceptible to pests such as slugs, snails and cyclamen mites.

 Canna Lily

Grown for it’s large attractive yellow, red and orange showy flowers the Canna Lily is both a great choice for both an indoor and outdoor plant.

They prefer plenty of heat so need to be planted in a sunny spot but they will tolerate some shade.

The Canna Lily likes moist soils and will thrive in a bog like conditions but will get along in most well draining soils as well as long as they are watered often.

Canna’s require monthly fertilizers to continually bloom and soil that is rich in organic matter.

Prone to caterpillars, Slugs and snails and red spider mite!

Chocolate Cosmos

This beautiful rich red / brown Cosmos gives of hints of chocolate and vanilla scents hence the given name – Chocolate Cosmos.

It prefers a moist, well-draining soil in a position with full sun.

Although this plant is a perennial it is often grown as an annual due to it’s half-hardiness and inability to survive temperatures below -5.

To promote new growth it is best to dead-head finished flowers regularly to encourage ongoing flowering.

They are brilliant for attracting pollinators such as bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies and moths. They have pollen rich flowers and seeds for birds.

Prone to slugs, snails, Aphids and grey mould.

Hardy Geraniums (Cranesbill)

This bee friendly plant is an easy beginner plant for nearly every garden.

Available in a variety of colours ranging from violet, pink, blue, magenta and white you can’t really go wrong!

This plant needs well drained, moist and fertile soil and can be planted at any time, most hardy geraniums will also continue to flower throughout the year, continually sending out blooms from Spring through Autumn.

Over the years geraniums will continue to spread and clump together so it is a good idea to separate them every couple of years to encourage them to continue to grow strongly, this can be done by dividing them with a sharp spade.

Dahlias

The Dahlia is my personal all time favourite flower, with so many varities to choose from there is a Dahlia for everybody.

From dwarf varieties to tall bushes and even tree species, they are easy to grow, flowering from Summer through to Autumn.

They prefer full sun and moist well drained soil.

Cut back the stem and foliage to approximately 10cm once the first frost has hit and the flowers and foliage has darkened.

Regular dead-heading of your Dahlia’s will promote new healthy growths and prolong flowering.

When planting make sure to incorporate a good quality compost or animal manure into the soil with a slow-release fertilizer.

Regularly watering your Dahlias during dry spells will encourage new growth.

Dahlia’s attract beneficial pollinators such as butterflies, bees and moths.