Heavenly colours

FROM the rich blues of the cornflower and heavenly fragrance of night scented stocks to the plump, stripy seed heads of Love-in-a-Mist, hardy annuals are a great way to introduce children and new gardeners to the joys of growing plants from seed.

By definition, these can be sown outside much earlier in the year as they tolerate a light frosting and grow with such exuberance that they complete a whole life cycle in one growing year: from sowing they will flower, set seed and die.

Sowing of hardy annuals can be done in the autumn; giving the plants this head start enables them to come into flower earlier the following summer. Alternatively, start the plants off indoors by sowing into modular trays in February. These young plug plants can then be transplanted with little root disturbance. For our northerly climate, I would delay sowing outdoors until early April. It’s advisable to keep an eye on the weather and if there is a hard frost, cover young plants with horticultural fleece or cloches for temporary protection. Observing the growth of weeds gives an indication that the soil holds enough warmth for seeds to germinate and grow successfully; usually this will be above a soil temperature of about 6 degrees C. Sowing every couple of weeks throughout April and May – together with regular deadheading - will provide an extended floral display.

There are many wonderful hardy annuals to choose from and they offer a wide spectrum of interest in addition to their vibrant colours and scent. Many make excellent cut flowers and offer incredible seed heads for displays. Some are edible and importantly, many are also beneficial plants for wildlife such as pollinating insects; just look for the RHS ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ logo.

One of my must-have hardy annuals is the glorious Calendula officinalis - often referred to as the pot marigold - and should not be confused with the French or African marigolds (Tagetes). The name officinalis indicates its use for centuries for medicinal, herbal and culinary purposes. The plants are said to be packed with skin-healing and anti-inflammatory properties and there are many lotions and creams widely available. The petals and flowers make a colourful addition to salads, and as a tea, though my favourite is to use them in ice cubes for a cool summer drink.

Calendulas are stunning and versatile plants for pots and borders both in floral displays and kitchen gardens. It is no surprise that this pocket of sunshine falls into the same plant family as the sunflower. There are now many varieties of calendula available to growers in a stunning array of colours and flowers, including full double forms.

The seeds of calendula - which look like slightly curled prickly caterpillars - can be such a curiosity for young growers and to marvel at the wonderful world of nature is the perfect way to engage them in growing plants as easy as annuals.