Biennials to sow from seed to fill the May gap - Episode 224

15 May 2025 • 13 min • EN
13 min
00:00
13:14
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Biennials – plants which flower in their second year – may often be overlooked by us gardeners, but between their value for money, wonderful scent, and versatility they’re among the best plants to sow and grow in any garden. Sarah makes the case for brilliant biennials in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, exploring how she came to appreciate their beauty, and which varieties are best for all aspects of your space. In this episode, discover:How the right mix of biennials can fill the awkward May gap with prolific blooms, all for the price of a seed packetThe best early-flowering biennials, from fragrant wallflowers to the scented sweet rocket, Hesperis matronalisMoth-pollinated varieties with rich fragrance and velvety textures to create a pollinator paradise Products mentioned: Rosa x odorata "Mutabilis" (China) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-x-oderata-mutabilis Rosa × odorata "Bengal Crimson" (China) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-x-odorata-bengal-crimson Digitalis purpurea "Sutton"s Apricot" https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-suttons-apricot Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-alba Wild Sweet William (Saponaria officinalis) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wild-sweet-william Matthiola incana "Vintage Antique Mix" https://www.sarahraven.com/products/matthiola-incana-vintage-antique-mix Malope trifida "Vulcan" https://www.sarahraven.com/products/malope-trifida-vulcan Lunaria annua https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lunaria-annua Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-nudicaule-champagne-bubbles-mix-f1 Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/ Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/ Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

From "grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends"

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