This week I am back at Sofacoma Market with a range of hardy perennials some ready to plant now and others whose roots haven’t quite filled their pots, but will be ready to plant in the next month. I am bringing them to market this week as there’s an unusually long gap before I am back (April 27th). If you would like me to put anything aside for you to pick up at the market, please email:

thedevelopingplot@gmail.com

Hardy Perennials

Grown by me from seed or division in peat free compost, these have been out all winter and in all weathers and are completely hardened off; all survive very low temperatures. They have been chosen because they are beautiful, but also because they are all extremely attractive to pollinating insects. Another bonus is that most of these plants have proved to be slug resistant in my garden.

Some of the almost ready plants have been potted/repotted over the last month. They do not need much care at this stage apart from watering and can all be kept outside until their roots have developed more fully and you are ready to plant them. Those marked with an asterisk will be ready in a few week’s time.

Prices:

9 cm pots: £2.50

12cm/13cm or 1 litre pots: £5.00

1.5 litre – 2 litre pots £6.50

Linaria Springside White: a magnet for pollinators, this elegant plant has masses of tiny, white, snap-dragon like flowers on top of very upright stems that are clothed in small soft-green leaves. A lovely self-seeding plant that might produce flowers in other colours. Can grow up to 90cm and likes sun. 1 litre pot: £5

Linaria Canon Went: another wonderful garden plant for pollinators with spikes of lovely pink flowers in summer 3ft (medium pot sizes)

Knautia Macedonia: A wonderful plant with beautiful scabious type flowers in magenta. These are a magnet to butterflies and bees as well as being very lovely in the garden or in a pot. Flowers grow to between 12 and 18 inches on slender stems. It flowers long and hard and can be cut down at least once during the Summer to flower again (a range of pot sizes).

Achillea Summer Berries: a brilliant plant for pollinators, these lovely clusters of colourful flowers are a gorgeous mix of shades – both bright and pale pinks, together with coral, apricot, red and purple. Brilliant filler, both in the border and in a vase –  long lasting flowers which are a bonus for butterflies and bees.  Tolerates a range of conditions but enjoys sun 2ft (small to medium pots)

Verbascum Violetta: a graceful plant which adds height to the border with slender stems of deep-violet flowers which rise from a rosette of dark green leaves. It self seeds gently and can be planted in sun or partial shade. Height 3ft (a mix of pot sizes)

Hesperis matronalis White (Sweet Rocket): Another wildlife friendly cottage garden plant which has a beautiful scent. Pure white, star-shaped flowers grow above neat green leaves. It is highly attractive to bees and other beneficial insects and self seeds freely. Hesperis can be grown in sun or partial shade and likes moist well drained soil It is fully hardy and grows between 2 & 3 ft

Hardy Annual Seedlings:

A range of annual seedlings are also available. They all need more time to grow, but are hardy and can be left outside to get on with it. They will be ready to plant out in a few weeks. These include Cerinthe Major, Orlaya Grandiflora and highly scented Sweetpeas in a range of colours. If you are interested, please let me know and I will bring some along.

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