Smokey Vintage Seed Collection

Poppies in the garden provide instant summer joy. ‘Amazing Grey’ is definitely one to choose, with its preciously delicate papery layers of lavender-grey petals on spindly, waving stems – like beautiful dancing fairies. You are guaranteed to love it and will want to grow it year after year.

Remember to sear the stems of the poppies once you have cut them, to help them last longer in the vase. You can do this by dipping the stems in just-boiled water for five seconds.

Larkspur are the annual form of the perennial delphinium. I choose these for their more relaxed and delicate spires. ‘Smokey Eyes’ has lovely grey-lavender rosettes and is an airy beauty in the border. Growing them from seed in abundance means you can pick and arrange them as they last brilliantly in the vase.

Ammi majus is like a delicate cow parsley with tiny white flowers that flutter and float gently in the wind. The tall, architectural starburst flowers and fresh, green foliage add natural elegance to the garden. I pick it for clouds of white for a wedding or add it to soft, pastel arrangements for a light, airy look. It’s a must-have for every flower grower.

Corncockle ‘Light Rose’ is a delicate shell-pink beauty. Once seen more commonly in flower meadows but now we grow it in our gardens. It’s easy to sow and grow, and I love it en masse for soft and airy clouds of bobbing flowers.