It is that time of year to scrutinize seed catalogues and decide which flowers I will be growing.

I want to fill my garden with tall and vibrant plants. My new idea for 2021 is that they will emerge through the already existing ornamental grasses.

Last summer a Dahlia just happened to be planted this way. It truly was my favourite plant combination, so I thought why not make next years entire garden like this – so I am.

Obviously I will have other plants as well – not just Dahlias !

  • This was the image, that inspired my garden for 2021.

  • I wonder what new plants will be joining
  • the garden this year ?

Making my seed choice is a two fold decision . I really want to fill my garden with colour from spring through to the end of autumn. Additionally a winter sturdy stem and seed head is a bonus. Who wants a dull, flat garden to look out onto ? not me. I already know there will be plants that don’t fit both of these requirements – but you cannot have everything !

Even at this very early stage Tithonia rotundifolia, will definitely be on my 2021 must buy seed list. It is such a statuesque plant, with its velvet-like stem and stunning flower,

Dahlias (as previously mentioned ) do not fit into the second requirement of my decision making process – however I cannot imagine my garden without their incredible pops of colour.

Here are a couple of images of Dahlias, and Tithonia in all their garden beauty from previous years – (all grown from seed ) Hopefully you can see why they are my must have plants.

  • Dahlia
  • Tithonia rotundifolia
  • Tithonia rotundifolia
  • Dahlia

Amaranthus filled my garden last year. I can already imagine them growing through the grasses. Some made their way into the house, and became part of my winter dried flower arrangement. I would like to think they sort of resembles icicles ?! Amaranthus is definitely on my 2021 sowing list.

Umbellifer and Foxgloves were sown in late August. They will be hardened off in late spring, and planted out shortly afterwards. So I better come up with my final 2021 garden flower plan sooner rather than later.

  • Very late December 2020
  • Very late December 2020

I allow many of my plants to self seed between the bricks pathways of the garden. Unfortunately this Weld was toppled by the wind last year, which actually really saddened me, as it looked fabulous. It would have been far more robust if it had been growing in the open ground.

  • Weld – front left
  • Weld – front right
  • Weld seedling.

Thankfully I found some seedlings today, and I intend to prick them out from in between the gaps, pot them up and grow them on, before planting them in the flower borders in early spring.

I hope you enjoy this years gardening blog, I think there will be plenty of new gardening adventures and new plants to write about.

AND FINALLY

I wanted to share my favourite garden images of last year .

  • I grew a great deal
  • of flowers
  • (and cuttings )
  • in 2020
  • But it is so important
  • To take time
  • To sit with your feet up, enjoying the place, the sounds and visiting wildlife. This really has been an essential part of my gardening life in 2020.

My favourite image , is the one above and was taken with my iPhone. Why ? because, its me, just enjoying my garden.

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