Growing Flowers
Many would argue that there is no longer any justification for using an allotment solely to grow vegetables. The ecological benefits of growing plants and flowers on your plot is beyond doubt - besides, many flowers are also edible and can be cropped.
Flowers increase the attractiveness of a plot and this in turn helps relaxation and enjoyment. But flowers and plants don't need to be purely decorative. Many of them can be very useful and aid you in your plans to produce vegetable and fruit crops by attracting pollinators and, through companion planting, discouraging pests.
Possibly one of the greatest benefits of producing your own flowers is that you get to see them and enjoy them simply in a vase at home.
- Bedding Plants
- Plants for the House
- Hanging Baskets
- Fuschias
- Dahlias
- Sweet Peas
- Pelargoniums
- See Also, Propogation
Worth Reading...
The Bold and Brilliant Garden looks wonderful and is based upon a very attractive concept, but what makes it rare amongst gardening books is that it is truly useful, both for the novice and the expert. I find myself referring to it again and again.
- Monty Don
This is no-holds- barred gardening at its most exhilarating. One of the great strengths of this book is that although the brilliant flowers are undoubtedly the stars, the supporting cast is not neglected--foliage is used throughout as a backdrop, for structure and as a foil for the vivid colours of the flowers. Sarah Raven admits that her type of gardening is labour intensive, but at a time when too much gardening attempts to be "instant" it is refreshing to read a book which honestly states that effort is required to achieve stunning results.
Your allotment is an excellent place for raising flowers, especially if you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse. In fact, with a little effort you can become a florist as well as a greengrocer.
If, like me, you get confused by all those references to 'half-hardy perrenials' and 'hardy annuals' then the following definitions may help.