Cottage Garden

Annuals for the cottage garden

Annuals are a vital part of any garden providing a splash of colour at times when perennials and shrubs may be finished.
Runner beans are an example-grown up a pergola in the centre of a border they create a focus point in late summer with their sunset glow flowers.Simply sow two seeds at the base of the pergola in early may(london timing) and train up the pergola and your away.Just remember to keep picking the beans!

The canary creeper(Tropaeolum peregrinum) is a gem of the plant with yellow canary shaped flowers in late summer.Not trully hardy in the UK but can tolerate down to about -5 degrees centigrade.Can be induced to climb through a yew hedge to provide extra interest.Seed requires heat to germinate but it is easy to germinate is well watered

Borage(Borago officianalis).Produces edible attractive flowers loved by bees and will self sow in any spot where sown.Prefers full sun and free draining soil as it is a meditteranean native.sow seed on site in april.

nasturtiums-there are many beautiful nasturtiums including empress of india and black velvet which both have dusky flowers.The flowers have a peppery flavour as it is a member of the brassica family so is delicious in salads.It will romp away in late summer filling large areas of nutrient deficient ground and will self sow readily.It is attractive but has to be controlled as is a bit of a thug.

calendula-i particularly like a variety called ‘lemon fizz’ which has paler flowers of a light yellow.It will self sow readily but not very far from the plant.Calendula and borage make an excellent combination and are very easy to grow.Therefore they offer a cheap way of improving a patch of bare ground for the price of a couple of quid.

opium poppy(papaver somniferum)-there are some delightful red,purple and black versions of this and even the knicker pink one is nice.The seed is edible when dried but when raw is narcotic.Easily retained once present but hard to get going…

nigella-a lacy plant which prefers damp soil in full sun but any well maintained border will do.A very popular plant but despite this still a plantsmans preference…

Annuals should all be sowed in march to may and you will reap the benefits for the rest of the summer.Very satisfying for something so cheaply produced!

About the Author

Sam MacDonald is a garden designer living in clapham,SW London.His website is www.countrycottagegardener.co.uk and he can be reached on cottage.gardener@live.co.uk

Planning a Cottage Garden