Growing a winter flower garden from seed
Did you know that seeds germinate best in autumn? That should be reassuring news for budget wise gardeners who may be apprehensive about growing their winter flower garden from seed. According to Marlaen Straathof of Kirchhoffs Seeds, the soil does not dry out as fast as in midsummer so germination rates are better.
GET THE LOOK. A bank of poppies and other flowers in Tuscany. To replicate this, combine poppies with Chrysanthemum multicaule or C. paludosum.
“The most important instruction on seed packets is to keep the soil moist. If the tiny growth point dries up while pushing out, the seed will not germinate,” she says.
Winter flowers that grow easily from seed and can be sown until May are African daisies (aka Namaqualand daisies), Bokbaaivygies (mesembryanthemums), Linaria, poppies, Virginian stocks, indigenous winter colour mixes and winter Scatter Packs that consist of winter annuals such as snapdragons, poppies, stocks, linaria, Godetia, Chrysanthemum multicaule and paludosum, candytuft, myosotis and nemesia.
Namaqualand daisies
Without doubt, orange, yellow and white Namaqualand daisies are the easiest winter flowers to grow from seed. They can be grown among the roses to provide colour after pruning, in indigenous gardens amongst shrubby succulents and aloes or between the rows in winter veggie gardens.
Loosen the ground, add compost and rake level. Scatter over the seed, cover and firm down lightly so that the wind and birds don’t carry the seed away. Keep the soil moist during germination and only weed when you can recognise the difference between plants and weeds.
Another option is to stagger the planting by sowing batches two or three weeks apart so that you have flowers right through to September.
Sowing tips for Bokbaaivygies, Linaria and Virginian stocks
These winter flowers have much finer seed. It is best to mix the fine seed with sifted sand to ensure an even distribution. Firm the soil so that it makes contact with the seed. Water well and keep the soil damp during germination.
Bokbaaivygies are a low growing groundcover that will tumble over a rockery or provide a brilliantly coloured border. For a really good show try double sowing.
Divide the seed into two portions. Mix each portion with mealie meal, or sand. Take the first portion and scatter it over the entire area. Then take the second portion and scatter it over the whole area again. This ensures good coverage of the area.
Double sowing can also be applied to Linaria, which have small, fragrant flowers that look like miniature snapdragons Plants are upright, reaching a garden height of 30cm.
Virginian stocks (Cheiranthus maritimus) produce masses of small pink, mauve or white flowers during winter and spring. The plants are small and bushy, good for the front or a bed as a border for climbing sweet peas.
