Sweet pea Sweet pea Poppies

Cheerful additions to any landscape, there is a wide variety of poppies on the market. Striking new hybrids are available in mixed colours as well as in single colours for those with specific colour schemes and for pastel lovers there are lovely pastel shades. Poppies work very well with spring bulbs, as well as inter planted with low growing annuals like pansies.

Poppies love gardeners that like to pick for the vase – the more you pick them the more they flower for you. If you don’t pick the blooms it’s essential that you deadhead the spent blooms to keep them flowering.

Sweet pea

Sweet peas, most often grown from seed, can also be found as ready to plant seedlings in many leading garden centres, which is wonderful if you’re impatient or don’t have time to nurture them from seed. Transplanting can be slightly tricky so take care to pick pots that can be planted straight into their new home, like peat pots, or individual earth friendly trays so seedling roots don’t need to be separated before planting.

CorianderCorianderSweet peas enjoy a bright and sunny spot with rich, moist soil. To make life easier, plan ahead and ensure you have easy access to them so you can pick flowers whenever the mood grabs you. Feel free to use supports to help them stand upright but make sure to put the stakes in the ground before planting your seedlings out to avoid damaging the roots.

Coriander

One of the most used and loved herbs around, coriander is a must for any edible garden or kitchen windowsill, or even just for anyone who enjoys food. It is incredibly fast growing, can be eaten fresh or used in cooking and both the leaves and roots are edible, offering different flavours for your dishes.

PenstemonPenstemonPenstemon

Potting with penstemon is quite possibly the best way to bring some colour to your patio. With their long blooming bell-shaped flowers that are so brilliantly coloured, it’s impossible for them not to make a statement to remember. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and thrive in full sun, although semi-shade positions will be equally adequate for these stunners. If you want to be rewarded with more blooms for longer, remember to deadhead.

Information supplied by the Bedding Plant Growers Association. For more, go to www.lifeisagarden.co.za.