Dahlia 'Jescot Julie'
dahlia tuber
- Position: full sun
- Soil: fertile, humus-rich soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: July to October
- Hardiness: half hardy (will need winter protection)
Each ray floret (petal) has a delicious burnt orange upper surface, with a rich plum base, creating an interesting and colourful mix. They look sensational when mixed with deep, blood reds and dark golden tones. Growing up to 8cm across, the flowers appear in small clusters on the upright stems for a really long time from mid summer to the first frosts. They are also terrific when cut. - Garden care: Dahlia tubers can be planted outside after frost, or started off in pots under glass in late winter to early spring. Plant them horizontally approximately 12cm deep, making sure the ‘eyes’ are uppermost. Allow enough room between each tuber so the plants can grow and spread to their full size without being over-crowded. While in growth, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September. Stake with canes or brushwood if it becomes necessary. In mild areas, leave them in situ over winter, but protect the crown with a generous layer of dry mulch. In colder areas, carefully lift and clean the tubers once the first frosts have blackened the foliage and allow them to dry naturally indoors. Then place the dry tubers in a shallow tray, just covered with slightly moist potting compost, sand or vermiculite and store in a frost-free place until planting out again.
Achillea 'Walther Funcke'
yarrow
Bright, terracotta flowers with flat heads
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Knautia macedonica 'Mars Midget'
knautia
Dwarf variety with crimson flowers
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
black-eyed susan
Large golden-yellow flowerheads
£7.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Cottage garden
The traditional cottage garden was an intensive, yet carefree mixture of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers all crowded into a tiny space. Today, this informal charm can be recreated using modern varieties that largely take care of themselves around an...
Read full articleGet more flowers
Deadheading will prevent them setting seed and so use their energy producing a further flush of blooms later on. Plants that respond well to deadheading include annuals such as Ageratum, Alyssum, Antirrhinum, Calendula, Centaurea, Cosmos, Dahlia, foxglove, Californian poppy, sweet...
Read full article