Top of the Picks

I've decided to post my top 5 flowers for picking each month and include a little bit about why I love them.

5. Centranthus Ruber (Valerian)

Tough as old boots...will grow anywhere, is easy to start from seed, sturdy stems and lots of them per plant - it's perennial and may be short loved with me cutting it so much but it's so easy to grow new plants so I don't mind.

4. Nepeta Six Hills Giant (Catmint)

(Sorry no pic - not photogenic...looks washed out)

I think I've already mentioned catmint but I do love it - the smell is so uplifting yet never overpowering, the stems are the perfect length for taller arrangements and yet it's dainty enough to be used in a handtie and the bees love it!

3. Linaria Pink Birds (Toadflax)

 

I wasn't too sure about this one when I first grew it last year but it has grown on me (terrible pun). It's not at all like the native toadflax. Very sturdy stems that don't need staking. It's unusual and therefore popular at the flower arranging workshops. The bees love it, it's perennial and is starting to look like a bit of a thug which is a good thing at the minute but may outgrow it's space. Unfortunately it doesn't smell but you can't have everything from every plant.

 

2. Allium roseum

 

I absolutely love these! Cheap to buy, come up every year may even multiply. Good long, straight stem with light enough heads that they don't blow over. You get a slight oniony smell when first cut but as soon as you submerge them in water it disappears and the flowers smell lovely....sort of sweet caramel but not sickly. Great vase life - they go on for ever with little bulblets forming from the base of each little floret - I am going to try and plant these...think it will work...easy to propagate therefore cheap to buy.

 

1. Peonies (of course)

 

What can I say that you don't already know but each year I get so excited to see the buds swell and burst open. I know that they have a short season but that makes them more appealing. They are far less hassle than roses and don't mind the rain so much. Just stake if necessary and don't plant them too deep or they won't flower. After that, just enjoy and admire....they'll live for years.

 

Hope you had a good weekend!