Flowers! Just, all the flowers!

[Craigaroo]

Me again!!

If anyone has been reading my other threads you'll know this is my first year with a full size allotment. With vegetables I'm fairly confident, my dad is a great source of advice when it comes tout spuds, onions, carrots etc.

However 1/3 of out plot (approximately 4, possibly even 5) of our raised beds need to be floral (part of the contract in taking over the plot, apparently there were issues with people purely growing fruit and veg for profit in the past)

Anyway, I'm clueless when it comes to flowers, as is my dad (although has a little more knowledge than me)

I was wondering if anyone had anyone any tips on what to grow or plant? The previous owner was Dhalia mad, so has been kind enough to leave some. I've also acquired some foxglove (a kind stranger left them for me to find one morning) I'm not sure if I'm too late to start seeds.

Any and all information would be VERY MUCH appreciated!

[Guest]

What a bizarre condition. Anyhoo, what would you like the flowers to be/do? attracting wildlife, edible, low maintenance, cut flowers to keep the ladies happy and no you are not to late to grow from seed.

On a really basic level you can't go wrong with nasturtiums and pot marigolds/ calendula

Edit: stretching the rule a bit you could grow phalacia (?sp) as a green manure (does the condition say the flowers have to reach maturity) you could leave some to flower for wildlife, cutting, drying and/or seed.

[veggiechicken]

What about herbs? Are they flowers or veg?
Or grow a bee or butterfly bed for pollinators.
It is a bizarre condition - I'd clarify it before you give over a third of your plot to flowers.

[Snadger]

Has to be chrysanths i'm afraid.

[Muddy_Boots]

Plant some Godetia, they are small and really nice for the bees. Just chuck 'em on the ground and they will germinate.

[Bigmallly]

Never heard of that before, it's usually the other way round & fewer flowers should be grown...........anyways, flowers?................Courgettes, Squashes, Runner Beans, Strawberries, some varieties of Spuds.............

[veggiechicken]

You forgot Cauli-flowers

[Guest]

and flower sprouts

Edit: As an aside if you grew bindweed and other pernicious weeds (they are still flowers) that they would remove the condition?

[vivienz]

Sunflowers are always fun and you can get a great range of seeds for very little. They will fill the beds up in no time.

[Craigaroo]

Haha! Some good points there! I suppose courgettes, strawberries, potatoes etc all contain flowers.

I'm just looking for something pretty! Something that draws the eye, and perhaps attracts the bees.

It does seem a bit of an odd condition, but since its my first year, I'm probably better not rocking the boat. The plot is big enough that giving up some beds for flowers won't make too much of an impact.

I popped over after work to do a little clearing up and got talking to a few folk. Apparently the whole flower thing does stem (no pun intended) from someone selling fruit and veg for profit, but was alson an idea by the committee to make the entrance beds to each individual plot attractive to anyone that may be passing. There's also a prize every year for the most attractive flower beds. It seems that people split them in to 4x4 squares.

To be honest this year I'll just be happy to get some colour about the place.

[Guest]

sweet peas (make sure you pick the flowers frequently to keep them going) a couple of wig wams will give you lots and also add some height.

Then some annual or wildlife scatter mix seed they can usually be picked up cheaply.

If there are any children (I use that term very loosely in this instance) to entertain convolvulus so you can 'pop granny out of bed' and snap dragons 'so they can snap them at each other'.

[The poly tunnel poet]

Perhaps in the rotation of crops it saves leaving fallow and beautifies, however to add to amazing and funny suggestions. (The Edible Flower Garden: From Garden to Kitchen: Choosing, Growing and Cooking Edible Flowers Paperback – 31 Jan 2014) Amazon for a couple of pound. Or do a search for edible flowers? Some tasty flowers out there!!!

[vixylix]

If you're wanting something quick and easy for this year (or to fill the beds while you research / experiment) get a wildlife seed mix. They look pretty, attract wildlife, look after themselves and are cheap to pick up.

[Bigmallly]

It's a bit of a dilemma as you don't want them to self seed all over the place so may be best sourcing flowers for cutting. I'm sure a lady in the family would appreciate them.