Late winter to early spring

🌸 Sweet Pea – Aoraki

(Lathyrus odoratus)

A stunning pure white sweet pea, Aoraki is prized for its elegant blooms, long stems, and delightful fragrance. Bred by renowned New Zealand sweet pea breeder Dr Keith Hammett, this variety is regarded as one of the whitest sweet peas available, producing masses of beautifully formed flowers that glow in the garden. 

Aoraki produces impressive stems carrying 6–7 blooms each, making it an outstanding choice for cut flowers and floral arrangements. The lightly ruffled white flowers bring a timeless elegance to cottage gardens, wedding bouquets, and decorative displays while filling the air with classic sweet pea perfume. 

Vigorous climbing plants flower early and continue blooming over a long season when flowers are picked regularly. Perfect for growing on trellises, arches, and fences, Aoraki combines beauty, fragrance, and productivity in one exceptional variety. 

🌿 Why You'll Love It

• Pure white blooms
• Strong sweet pea fragrance
• Long stems with 6–7 flowers per stem
• Excellent cut flower variety
• Early flowering
• Ideal for trellises, fences, and arches

Climate:

-Tropical climates: late summer to autumn
- Sub-tropical climates: autumn
- Temperate climates: autumn
- Cold climates: spring or late summer to mid autumn.

Seed Instructions

Sow: Autumn–Winter / Early Spring
Depth: 2–2.5 cm
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Rich, well‑drained
Germination: 7–14 days 

Alternatively, you can soak sweet pea seeds overnight and place them on a moist paper towel inside a sealed plastic bag on top of the refrigerator. Check them daily to ensure the towel remains moist and watch for signs of germination. Once the seeds sprout, sow them at the recommended depth

Approx 12 seeds 

Cool‑season flowering climber. Provide a trellis or support for climbing vines. Keep soil moist and pick flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.

🌸 Sweet Pea – Cupani (Heirloom)

(Lathyrus odoratus)

A true garden treasure, Sweet Pea Cupani is one of the oldest known sweet pea varieties, with a history dating back to the late 1600s. Discovered in Sicily by Father Francis Cupani, this heirloom favourite is renowned for its intense fragrance and charming bi-coloured blooms of deep maroon-purple and rich violet.

While the flowers are smaller than many modern sweet peas, they more than compensate with their exceptional perfume. The climbing vines produce masses of blooms that fill the garden and home with their sweet scent, making Cupani a favourite for cottage gardens and cut flower arrangements. 

Vigorous, reliable, and notably more heat tolerant than many sweet pea varieties, Cupani flowers over a long period when picked regularly. Its rich colours, intoxicating fragrance, and historic significance make it a must-have for sweet pea lovers. 

🌿 Why You'll Love It

• Authentic heirloom sweet pea dating to the 1600s
• Deep maroon and violet bi-coloured blooms
• Exceptionally fragrant flowers
• Vigorous climbing habit
• Excellent cut flower variety
• Long flowering season

Climate: 

Tropical climates: Late summer Autumn
Sub-tropical climates: Autumn
Temperate climates: Autumn
Cold climates: Spring or Late summer-mid Autumn.

Seed Instructions

Sow: Autumn–Winter / Early Spring
Depth: 2–2.5 cm
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Rich, well‑drained
Germination: 7–15 days

Approx 12 seeds 

Cool‑season flowering climber. Soak seeds overnight before sowing. Provide a trellis or support for climbing vines. Keep soil moist and pick flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.

🌸 Sweet Pea – Scented Mix

(Lathyrus odoratus)

Fill your garden with colour and fragrance with Sweet Pea Scented Mix, a beautiful blend of sweet peas selected for their delightful perfume and vibrant blooms. Producing flowers in shades of red, rose, lavender, white, salmon, and purple, this mix provides a stunning display on climbing vines throughout the cooler months. 

One of the earliest sweet pea mixes to flower, Scented Mix produces large blooms on long stems, making it an excellent choice for trellises, fences, arches, and cut flower arrangements. The sweet fragrance and elegant flowers bring classic cottage-garden charm to any outdoor space. 

Easy to grow and highly rewarding, these vigorous climbers bloom generously when picked regularly. Ideal for gardeners who enjoy both colour and fragrance in the garden and home. 

🌿 Why You'll Love It

• Beautifully scented flowers
• Early flowering variety
• Mix of vibrant colours
• Excellent cut flower variety
• Ideal for trellises and fences
• Long flowering season

 Climate:

Tropical climates: Late summer Autumn
Sub-tropical climates: Autumn
Temperate climates: Autumn
Cold climates: Spring or Late summer-mid Autumn.

Seed Instructions

Sow: Autumn–Winter / Early Spring
Depth: 2–2.5 cm
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Rich, well‑drained
Germination: 7–14 days 

Approx 12 seeds

Cool‑season flowering climber. Soak seeds overnight before sowing. Provide a trellis or support for climbing vines. Keep soil moist and pick flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.

🌸 Sweet Pea – Spencer Choice Stripe Mix

(Lathyrus odoratus)

A breathtaking blend of striped and streaked sweet peas, Spencer Choice Stripe Mix produces an exquisite display of large, ruffled blooms in a wide range of colours and patterns. From soft pastels to rich shades of pink, red, purple, and lavender, each flower is uniquely marked with striking stripes and flakes, creating a truly eye-catching garden feature.

Part of the renowned Spencer sweet pea group, this mix is celebrated for its large flowers, long stems, and delightful fragrance. The vigorous climbing vines quickly cover trellises, arches, and fences, producing an abundance of blooms that are perfect for cutting and bringing indoors.

A favourite for cottage gardens and floral arrangements, Spencer Choice Stripe Mix combines classic sweet pea perfume with spectacular colour variation. Regular picking ensures a continuous display of flowers throughout the season. 

🌿 Why You'll Love It

• Stunning striped and flaked blooms
• Large, ruffled Spencer-type flowers
• Beautiful, sweet fragrance
• Excellent cut flower variety
• Ideal for trellises, fences, and arches
• Long flowering season

🌱 Growing Tips

• Plant in full sun to part shade
• Provide strong support for climbing vines
• Keep soil moist and well-drained
• Pick flowers regularly to encourage more blooms

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Plant type: Annual flowering climber
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Height: Approx. 1.8–2.5 m 
• Flower type: Large striped Spencer blooms  
• Seed type: Open-pollinated

Seed Instructions

Sow: Autumn–Winter / Early Spring
Depth: 2–2.5 cm
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Rich, well‑drained
Germination: 10–21 days

Approx 12 seeds 

Alternatively, you can soak sweet pea seeds overnight and place them on a moist paper towel inside a sealed plastic bag on top of the refrigerator. Check them daily to ensure the towel remains moist and watch for signs of germination. Once the seeds sprout, sow them at the recommended depth

🌸 Sweet Pea – Streamers Lavender

(Lathyrus odoratus)

Elegant and beautifully fragrant, Sweet Pea Streamers Lavender produces large, ruffled blooms delicately streaked with lavender over a creamy white background. This striking bicolour variety brings a touch of classic cottage-garden charm to trellises, fences, arches, and cut flower gardens. 

Renowned for its sweet perfume and impressive flower size, Streamers Lavender produces masses of blooms on vigorous climbing vines. The unusual lavender streaking makes every flower unique, creating a stunning display both in the garden and in floral arrangements. 

Long-lasting and highly productive, this variety flowers generously throughout the cool season. Regular picking encourages even more blooms, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who love fresh-cut flowers. 

🌿 Why You'll Love It

• Unique lavender and white bicolour blooms
• Large, ruffled flowers
• Delightfully fragrant
• Excellent cut flower variety
• Perfect for trellises, fences, and arches
• Long flowering season

🌱 Growing Tips

• Plant in full sun to part shade
• Provide sturdy climbing support
• Keep soil moist and well-drained
• Pick flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Plant type: Annual flowering climber
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Height: Approx. 1.8 m 
• Flower colour: Lavender streaked with white 
• Seed type: Open-pollinated

climate: 

Tropical climates: Late summer Autumn
Sub-tropical climates: Autumn
Temperate climates: Autumn
Cold climates: Spring or Late summer-mid Autumn.

Sowing

🌱 Pro Tip

The more flowers you cut, the more blooms the plant will produce throughout the season. 🌸

Celery – Tall Utah (Heirloom)

(Apium graveolens)

Celery ‘Tall Utah’ is a classic heirloom variety renowned for its tall, upright growth and crisp, flavourful stalks. Producing thick, straight stems with a sweet, mild taste, this variety is ideal for fresh snacking, salads, soups, and cooking. 

A dependable and productive choice, Tall Utah develops vigorous plants reaching up to 60–75 cm tall, yielding abundant, high‑quality stalks with excellent texture. Its firm, crunchy stems and well‑formed hearts make it a favourite among home gardeners seeking reliable results and great flavour. 

This cool‑season crop prefers steady moisture and rich soil, rewarding growers with tender, succulent celery when given consistent care. With its strong growth and classic taste, Tall Utah remains one of the most popular and widely grown celery varieties.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Traditional heirloom celery variety
• Tall plants with thick, crisp stalks
• Sweet, mild flavour ideal for fresh or cooked use
• High‑yielding and reliable in the garden
• Suitable for harvesting whole plants or individual stems 

🌱 Growing Tips

• Best grown in cool conditions with a long growing season
• Plant in rich, moisture‑retentive soil
• Keep soil consistently moist to prevent stringy or bitter stalks
• Provide regular feeding for strong, vigorous growth
• Harvest outer stalks or cut whole plant when mature 

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Apium graveolens
• Plant type: Leaf/stem vegetable
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Harvest: Approx. 90–110 days
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated

PRIMULA ELATIOR ‘COLOSSEA MIXED’

Elegant spring blooms in soft, classic colours

Primula elatior ‘Colossea Mixed’ is a beautiful strain of cowslip primula, producing large, delicately shaped flowers in a charming mix of pastel and richer spring tones. Blooming in clusters above neat rosettes of fresh green foliage, these primulas bring long‑lasting colour to shaded garden beds, borders, woodland gardens, and pots.

A cool‑season favourite, Primula elatior thrives in part shade and moist, well‑drained soil, making it ideal for areas where many flowering plants struggle. Once established, plants are hardy, reliable, and return year after year with an impressive spring display.

🌸 Key Features

• Large‑flowered cowslip primula
• Soft mixed colours with classic cottage‑garden appeal
• Perfect for shade and cooler garden areas
• Ideal for borders, underplanting, and containers
• Hardy perennial in suitable climates
• Approx 70 seeds 0.50g per packet 

Seed Sowing Instructions

Botanical Name: Primula elatior
Plant Type: Perennial
Flowering: Late winter to spring

When to Sow

• Sow late summer to early autumn for spring flowering
• Can also be sown in early spring in cool climates

How to Sow

1. Sow seeds on the surface of fine, well‑drained seed‑raising mix
2. Do not cover seed – light aids germination
3. Gently mist to moisten the soil
4. Keep trays cool and consistently moist

Germination: 14–28 days at 10–18°C
(Cold conditions improve results — avoid warm locations)

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle
• Handle carefully to avoid root disturbance
• Space plants 20–25 cm apart

🌱 Growing Tips

• Grow in part shade to full shade, especially in warmer climates
• Soil should be rich in organic matter and free‑draining
• Keep soil consistently moist, particularly during flowering
• Mulch well to keep roots cool and retain moisture
• Remove spent flowers to encourage extended blooming
• Best suited to cooler garden areas and protected positions

Helpful Note

Primula elatior seeds may benefit from a brief cold period. If germination is slow, move sown trays to a cooler location or refrigerate (sealed) for 1–2 weeks before returning to a bright, cool spot.