Are you planning to surprise your loved one with a bouquet of flowers this Valentine’s Day? While the beautiful blooms will only last a short while, their fleeting nature adds to the romantic gesture. Instead of saving flowers for special occasions like February 14th, why not show your love with bouquets regularly throughout the year?
Sure, buying flowers frequently can be expensive. However, if you have a garden, you can effortlessly grow fresh flowers all year round. So, why wait for Valentine’s Day to show your love when you can do it any day with homegrown blooms?
Growing fresh flowers year-round is made easy with a garden. If space allows, designate an area specifically for cut-flower plants. However, if space is limited, mix them in with your general planting – as most flowers look just as stunning outside as they do in a vase. You can start cultivating flowers now, such as sweet peas which can be sown in a cold frame and transplanted in April. Alternatively, purchase ready-raised seedlings from garden centres in March. Hardy annual seeds like cornflowers, larkspurs, calendulas, and nigellas can be started in March in a cold frame, or outdoors from April.
For a stunning summer display, consider border pinks which are great for cutting in July. Fragrant varieties like white Memories, pink and carmine Doris, and magenta-laced Gran’s Favourite are ideal. Order from specialists like Whetman Pinks. Don’t forget about biennial Sweet Williams, Dianthus barbatus, which can be sown in May and planted out in autumn for the following summer. Additionally, summer-flowering bulbs like gladiolus, Galtonia, chincherinchees, and lilies can be planted between March and late April. Dahlia tubers are also available, flowering from July to November and perfect for arrangements in large patio pots.
When it comes to roses, shop-bought blooms often lack fragrance, so consider planting bareroot roses before it’s too late. Climbing varieties are great for limited spaces and produce beautiful blooms for cutting. Antique varieties like Bourbon roses Madame Isaac Pereire and Zephirine Drouhin are excellent choices for their scent. For a modern twist, David Austin roses offer old-fashioned scents with modern vigor. Plan ahead for autumn by planting wallflowers, tulips, snowdrop bulbs, chrysanthemums, shrubs with berries, and sweet violets for beautiful arrangements year-round.
In the words of Shakespeare’s Duke Orsino, “If music be the food of love, play on,” but in reality, it is flowers that truly bring on the love. Don’t miss out on the special offer for Gladioli Butterfly – a vibrant mix of dwarf butterfly Gladiolus perfect for borders or containers. Order online or by phone and enjoy these stunning flowers in your garden.