Flowers from seeds have been a success!

At the beginning of this year I decided to sow some flower seeds for the allotment and my garden. At first it seemed such a chore looking after the 70 plus dahlias that germinated and Cosmos, Emilia, Cornflowers, Sweet-peas, Echinacea, Marigolds, Calendulas, Cerinthe -(planted in the autumn of 2008). But now I am so happy that I did it as the garden and the allotment look so colourful. The flowers have all done so well and for a fraction of the cost of buying plants. The only ones yet to flower and delight me are the Echinacea, (pink & white) when they do I will post a photo. The surprise seeds I collected from , shall we say a well known garden !!!!, (a surprise because I couldn't remember what plant they were from) grew to be a very delicate unusual tri-colour Calendula.

I know that I am posting about my garden again, and this is meant to be an allotment blog, but I have had to spend time this year re-planting beds in the garden as it got neglected because of the allotment all of last year. But now it's all done I shall be posting update photo's of the lottie during the week.

' Pretty in Pink'

This is the 'surprise' seeds I collected from 'Wisley gardens' ( sshhhh) I knew that if I had picked a seed-head it would have to have been something special and not just a common 'calendula' it's a beautiful three even four maybe? coloured 'calendula' and now I shall have my own seeds, and who knows what colour they will produce. This photo doesn't do it enough justice.

I just love these tiny, delicate, bright orange 'Emilia' 'Irish Poet'

I can't take the credit for growing these beauties, but they do get lot's of care.

This 'Lace-cap Hydrangea' was a Wedding Anniversary present to us from my daughter

many years ago, it's in a wooden tub and has now grown huge.