I was lucky enough to grab a couple of packets of the much anticipated Floret seeds when they became available in the UK last year thanks to Alma/Proust (it was like queuing up online for Glastonbury tickets!) but instead of planting them last year I have saved them for this year to make sure I don't rush them and hopefully get some beautiful cut flower stems as a result.
I nabbed the Zinnia's in 'Precious Metals' as I love the colour palette of these, think pale pinks, soft peach and icy tones and I also got a packet of Dahlia seeds in 'Shooting Stars' all star shaped petals in a rainbow of hues. Having never grown a Dahlia from seed before (only tubers) this will be a bit different, and hopefully not too challenging.
I have followed Erin at Floret for years and think what she is achieving with her breeding work and the Floret Originals is just amazing. All her images of the Dahlias, Celosia and Zinnias is just so inspiring - it's a dream of mine to head to the Skagit Valley in the US one day to visit all of the flower farms in this region and see it for myself.
I'm not a natural gardener, but do love the feeling of growing flowers that I can then cut to arrange in a vase in my home or even use in bunches for Studio Poppy so I am trying to be more dedicated this year. I only have a small plot with growing space around the edges so I am trying to strike that balance of having a beautiful garden to look at that will have flowers blooming throughout the seasons where if I cut them it's not suddenly going to look bare, (also have two small boys running around, so I have to be realistic!)
My Tulips are in the ground (albeit a little late) but I'm looking forward to seeing the shoots coming through the soil and the promise of the longer and warmer days ahead that they bring. I'm also hoping to grow some more varieties of Dahlias, Nigella, Cosmos, Sweet Peas, Lupins, Clematis and Ammi Visnaga. The overall goal this year is to get a more cohesive planting scheme in the garden that works with the cut flowers popping up throughout the year too.
Are you a keen gardener? I'd love to know what flower varieties you grow and which are your favourite.