Grow your own bouquet

Dahlias are available in a vast array of shapes & colours, there are just so many to choose from you will really be spoiled for choice. They are grown from tubers which can be purchased in late winter and early springtime online or from your local garden centre. Dahlias should not be planted out until all risk of frost has passed,  and can easily be started indoors for a head start.  For how to grow Dahlias read our Growing Dahlias Guide. They should be spaced approx 25-30 cm apart as they will grow quite large and will also need to be staked with a garden cane to prevent them from flopping. 8 plants will be plenty in this space as they  are cut and come gain flowers so will keep producing blooms from Mid summer through to the first frosts. 

 

Didiscus Lace is grown from seed  and is an annual. It is best started in springtime by sowing into trays which can then be pricked out,  and planted out once all risk of frost has passed. It is a dainty flower and quite small so can be planted quite close together at 10cm. It is not a cut and come gain flower,  so once it is cut it will not re grow.  Read our guide to Seed Propagation for Beginners. 

 

Cosmos is an annual and can be started from seed in springtime. It will grow very tall and branch out to form a large bush when pinched so you won't need many to make a big impact, and should be spaced around 20cm apart. You will only need a few plants in this space and if deadheaded regularly will continue to bloom non stop  all summer long and into early autumn. Read our guide to Seed Propagation for Beginners. 

 

Scabious is a Hardy Annual so can be started from seed in either early autumn  and over wintered or it can be sowed in springtime. Autumn sowings will give flowers a few weeks earlier. Stems are vert lean and will flop over if not staked and if deadheaded regularly will continue to bloom as long as there is enough heat & light to sustain them. They will branch out from where they are cut to form a slender bush so should be planted around 15cm apart. 

 

Sweetpeas are a Hardy Annual to can be started from seed in either early autumn  and over wintered or it can be sowed in springtime. Autumn sowings will give flowers a few weeks earlier and a springtime sowing will give flowers later so perfect for a late summer bouquet. They are a climber similar to peas but should not be eaten as they are poisonous  if digested. They will grow very tall and  use their tendrils to latch onto anything in their path. A wigwam made from bamboo or branches is an ideal structure to support their growth, The flowers will need to be deadheaded every few days to keep producing blooms, and you will be rewarded with their beautiful scent. They can be planted quite tickly with 3-5 stem surrounding each support. Read out guide to growing Sweetpeas. 

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Zinnias are a heat loving annual, they can be sowed in late Springtime and can be sowed direct if you are limited on space for pots & trays. They will germinate very quickly as long as the soil is nice and warm so its best to wait until early summer if direct sowing. They are a cut and come again flower so will branch out and with regular cutting will continue to flower through to the first frosts. They should be planted around 15am apart. Read our guide to Growing Zinnias.