This year I have tried to grow more seeds than I have ever done before. There is always an air of anticipation as to what comes up and inevitably some things are more successful than others. Generally I haven't bothered with anything too complicated. However this year I thought I would be brave and try some eryngium seeds that needed cold stratification. This is where seeds are planted then kept in the fridge for a number of weeks and transferred back to room temperature. None germinated and so I tried another batch which did not recommend cold stratification and they mostly came up. That's how it goes I guess.

On BBC Gardener's World last week there was a report on Claude Monet's garden in Giverny in Normandy where they have appointed an English head gardener albeit one who has lived in France for many years. As well as the anticipated water lilies there were some spectacular herbaceous beds. It was then pointed out that they have two nurseries dedicated to supplying plants to the garden to keep it looking at its absolute best for seven months of the year. That puts my own efforts into perspective.


Anyway part of the reason for growing seeds is to have a succession of plants to fill in the gaps. For example the love-in-a-mist are now over and have been replaced with ammi. I have never grown them before but read Anna Pavord recommending them in the Independent. They start off looking rather like carrot plants and then go on to produce white flowers that are umbelliferous in nature. Personally I can't wait!

In another bed is the one globe thistle Echinops ruthenicus that germinated from a whole packet of seeds which is valiantly growing on its own. Nearby are some Cerinthe major Purpurascens which were simple to grow. They are rather unusual having glaucous leaves with bracts and indigo flowers that the bees love.

Cornflowers, Centaura cyanus are another easy choice and worth growing for the attractive blue flowers and feathery leaves. I have some in a pot and others around the garden. This photograph was taken at the Eden Project in Cornwall a couple of years ago where the naturalistic planting was inspirational.