Ideas please

[becky250970]

I sign for my new allotment in a couple of weeks and the only condition is that I have a flower border as I'm one of the first allotments that you see when you enter the site. I'm going to dedicate 7m (which is the width of lottie) x 1m. I'm thinking of having some sweetpeas growing at the back up some bean poles, I'd like a couple of rose bushes (although I don't know how to look after them). I've bought some daff bulbs, I'd like some lavender. What I'd like your help with is annuals that are quite easy to grow and attract the bees/insects, please help me as I know nothing about flowers.

Thanks in advance.

[zazen999]

Limanthes, marigolds, alliums, daffs, dyers cammomile, sunflowers [teddy bear grow to abotu 18 inches], echinacea, rudbeckia, echinops, bergamot, nasturtiums......

[becky250970]

Thanks Andrea, I'll get the catalogues out at lunch time. I can feel a seed order coming on...

[nick the grief]

For roses go to David Austin I can thoroughly recommend them. My favourites are The Prince (Dk Red) Ferdinand Pichard ( lt & dk pink marbled). both of these have a terrific scent and I bought my in-laws Ruby Wedding (it was their ruby anniversary would you believe) and the damn thing flowers for about 9 months of the year !

If you want some sweet peas I've got a spare packet you can have pm me your address (it was a freebie with a mag and I've got mine for next year ).

You can't go wrong with the good old hardy annuals they are as tough as old boots and will take all the abuse that can be thrown at them. Pot marigold look nice and are goo for bees etc (and you can use the leaves in salves etc).

How about putting a rustic trellis at the back of it and then you could grow climbers up it as well ( and hang your plot number off it)

[Two_Sheds]

I would not recommend roses. They get aphids, blackspot, need pruning and look horrid most of the year.

[Two_Sheds]

I sign for my new allotment in a couple of weeks and the only condition is that I have a flower border as I'm one of the first allotments that you see when you enter the site. I'm going to dedicate 7m (which is the width of lottie) x 1m.

that's what I had - you haven't got my old plot have you?

I had:
permanent, needs little maintenance
hebe
buddleja (annual prune to 18" high)
oxeye daisy
daffs/crocus
dahlia
Jerusalem artichokes

annual, self-sowing
limnanthes
teasel
calendula
sunflower
foxgloves
scabious
hollyhock
wallflower

[Tam]

Erigeron is a good permanent plant to grow, as it will flower for months if you don't mind a bit of dead-heading. The hoverflies and bees love it and, at this time of year, the butterflies seek it out too.

[Tam]

This is a picture of an erigeron I took yesterday.