Patch & Pot
Hardy Annuals (cool-tolerant)
Calendula, cornflower, nigella, ammi, scabious, dill, larkspur.
Autumn sow in mild south; spring sow elsewhere. Stake early if windy.
Grow bouquets
Cut Flowers in Small Spaces
Colour, scent and pollinators — from window boxes, steps and railings to tiny beds and shared yards.
Why Grow Cut Flowers?
Flowers brighten rooms, mark the seasons, and offer mindful, steady routines — sow, water, pick, arrange. They also feed bees and hoverflies, making edible crops nearby more productive.
Low-cost joy
Pollinator-friendly
Mindful routine
Any space works
Grow Anywhere: Containers Beyond “Pots”
Improvised & Upcycled
- Sturdy tins & food buckets (drill 4–6 holes).
- Wooden fruit crates (line with hessian or cardboard).
- Colanders & old drawers (line; ensure drainage).
- Guttering runs on fences for trailing violas & alyssum.
Stability first: wide bases and ties for balconies/rails; add bricks in the bottom for wind safety.
Good Sizes (inside dimensions)
| Container | Best for | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Window box 3–5 L | Calendula, cornflower, nigella | 3–5 |
| 10 L bucket | Snapdragon dwarf, scabious | 3 |
| 20 L tub | Cosmos tall, rudbeckia | 3 |
| 40 L tub | Single dahlia or tall sunflower (stake) | 1–2 |
| 80–100 cm trough | Mixed annuals + mesh support | 8–12 |
Soil Mix & Feeding
Reliable Container Mix
- 60% peat-free compost
- 30% fine bark/composted wood fibre
- 10% perlite/grit for drainage
- Slow-release fertiliser (10–12 weeks)
Feeding Rhythm
- Weeks 0–4: water only; keep evenly moist.
- Weeks 5+: liquid feed weekly at half strength.
- Heavy feeders (dahlia, zinnia): twice weekly in hot spells.
Top-dress mid-season: scratch in 1–2 cm fresh compost and water in.
What to Grow (Compact, Pot-Friendly)
Half-Hardy (frost-free needed)
Cosmos, snapdragon, rudbeckia, zinnia (warm), celosia (very warm), dwarf sunflowers.
Plant out when nights > 8–10°C. Pinch for bushier plants.
Perennial & Biennial Stars
Salvias (nemorosa, microphylla), wallflowers, lavender, sweet William, compact foxglove.
Salvias = long bloom + pollinators; wallflowers = spring scent & colour.
Bulbs, Corms & Tubers
- Spring: tulips (plant Nov for tall stems), narcissus, alliums.
- Summer: lilies (stake), gladioli (stagger plantings), dahlias (1 per 40 L).
- Drainage: pot feet + deep soaks; never sit in water.
Bulb Lasagne (One Pot, Months of Colour)
- Choose a 30–40 cm deep pot with large drainage holes.
- Base layer: compost 10–12 cm, then largest bulbs (tulips), points up.
- Middle layer: 5–7 cm compost, mid bulbs (narcissus).
- Top layer: 5–7 cm compost, small bulbs (crocus, muscari).
- Finish with 5–7 cm compost. Water in. Add winter violas on top if you like.
Stagger bloom times: early crocus → mid narcissus → late tulip for a rolling show.
All-Year Colour & Simple Palettes
Seasonal Rhythm
- Spring: tulips, narcissus, wallflowers, early alliums.
- Summer: sweet peas, cosmos, cornflower, calendula, salvias.
- Autumn: dahlias, rudbeckia, late salvias, chrysanthemums.
- Winter: berried stems, evergreen foliage, hellebores in pots.
Colour Ways (plug & play)
- Pastel Meadow: sweet peas (pinks), cosmos ‘Apricot Lemonade’, nigella, scabiosa.
- Hot & Happy: zinnia mix, rudbeckia, calendula ‘Indian Prince’, salvia ‘Hot Lips’.
- Cool Calm: cornflower, ammi, white cosmos, lavender, salvia nemorosa.
Pick one base + one accent + one highlight and repeat across containers for cohesion.
Arranging: From Mini to Statement
Mini Jars & Posies
- Sweet peas, violas, small cosmos, herbs (mint/rosemary).
- Cut in the cool; strip leaves below the water line.
Kitchen Jug
- Cosmos, salvias, calendula, wallflowers, ammi.
- One “air” element (ammi, grasses) keeps it light.
Statement Vase
- Dahlias, gladioli, lilies — add foliage structure first.
- Odd numbers (3, 5, 7) of focal stems work well.
Conditioning
- Re-cut stems under water, rest 2–4 hours cool.
- Preservative or sugar + pinch of citric acid + tiny bleach.
Sowing & Planting Calendar (UK Containers)
Shift timings 2–3 weeks later in Scotland/windy coasts/shade, or 2–3 weeks earlier in mild south or under cover.
| Plant | Sow Indoors | Sow Direct / Outside | Plant Seedlings / Juveniles | Bulb / Tuber | Notes & Caveats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendula | Feb–Apr | Mar–Jun; Sep* | Apr–Jun | – | *Autumn sow only in mild areas or under fleece. |
| Cornflower | Feb–Apr | Mar–May; Sep | Apr–May | – | Full sun; good drainage. |
| Nigella | Feb–Apr | Mar–May; Aug–Sep | Apr–May | – | Best sown in final pot; hates root disturbance. |
| Ammi majus | Feb–Apr | Mar–May; Sep | Apr–May | – | Stake early; cool-tolerant. |
| Scabiosa | Feb–Apr | Apr–May | May–Jun | – | Space for long stems; guard against slugs. |
| Cosmos | Mar–Apr | May–Jun* | Late May–Jun | – | *Direct only in warm, sheltered south; pinch at 15 cm. |
| Zinnia | Apr | Late May–Jun (warm) | Late May–Jun | – | Heat lovers; nights >10°C. |
| Snapdragon | Jan–Mar | Apr–May (south) | May–Jun | – | Cool-tolerant blooms; shelter from wind. |
| Rudbeckia (annual) | Feb–Mar | – | May–Jun | – | Autumn colour; compact series for pots. |
| Sunflower (dwarf) | Mar–Apr | Apr–May | May–Jun | – | Stake from planting; 1 per 20 L+ tub. |
| Wallflower | Jun–Jul | Jun–Jul | Sep–Oct | – | Scented spring; protect small pots in hard frost. |
| Sweet William | Jun–Jul | Jun–Jul | Sep–Oct | – | Great for spring cutting; compact forms suit boxes. |
| Foxglove (compact) | Jun–Jul | Jun–Jul | Sep–Oct | – | Partial shade; avoid very windy sites. |
| Salvia nemorosa | Feb–Apr | – | May–Jun | – | Trim after each flush; bee magnet. |
| Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ | Cuttings Jul–Aug | – | Sep–Oct | – | Near year-round colour in mild areas. |
| Lavender | Feb–Mar (cuttings later) | – | Apr–May | – | Gritty mix; full sun; refresh pots every ~5 yrs. |
| Tulips | – | – | – | Oct–Dec (Nov ideal) | Plant 2–3× bulb height deep; 20 cm+ pot depth. |
| Narcissus | – | – | – | Sep–Nov | Compact types (e.g. ‘Tête-à-Tête’) excel in pots. |
| Allium | – | – | – | Sep–Oct | Deep pots; underplant with violas. |
| Lilies | – | – | – | Feb–Apr | Stake early; consistent moisture, free-draining. |
| Gladioli | – | – | – | Apr–Jun (stagger) | Plant in 2-week waves for extended cutting. |
| Dahlias | Feb–Apr (tubers indoors) | – | May–Jun | Apr–May (frost-free) | 1 per 40 L; lift in cold regions. |
Shortcut: When in doubt, sow later. Strong May plantings often beat weak early starts.
Cut Flower Journal (PDF)
Go beyond the basics and download the full Cut Flower Journal. It includes sowing and succession guides, bulb lasagnes, arranging ideas, colour planning, and notes on space.