Ruby Gem Wallflower Seedlings

Plant Ruby Wallflowers in early winter in well-drained soil in full sun. They are members of the cabbage (Brassica) family and so prefer alkaline soil. If you have an old wall, plant them at its base - they will love it there. If your soil is acidic then add horticultural lime in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Wallflowers are greedy plants and so will appreciate the addition of well-rotted garden compost before planting. They are extremely hardy and will overwinter happily in their final flowering positions. If you prefer, you can also pot them up - we suggest 9cm pots to be overwintered outdoors and then planted into containers in early spring. Always water well after planting and do not let them dry out (especially important in containers).

The main requirements are that your plants have enough light and good drainage - they are called Wallflowers because they grow very happily in walls or in the limey grit at the foot of an old wall where the pointing and mortar have disintegrated.

They grow away fast as the days begin to lengthen in January / February and then will flower continuously from March well into summer provided they are dead-headed. So moisture during dry spells is important as is full sun because they Hate shade. Try to position them where there be direct sun for at least 6 hours a day in summer.

As you are buying seedlings, you can plant your wallflowers into their final flowering positions immediately. Space your plants about 30 cms apart and (in a bed) plant them in drifts. The show is far more impressive when they are massed.

NB - Plant your tulips deep if you are not going to lift them after flowering. We recommend covering them with 10 cms (4") of soil. This has two benefits. First, you can plant wallflowers over the top of them next year without fear of digging them up/damaging them. Second, deep planting helps tulips concentrate on building up their strength for flowering the following season.

Depending on location, soil and variety, wallflowers may need support. We suggest you do this next year as in sheltered spots it should not be necessary at all.

As flowers develop cut them or dead head when they are over and your wallflowers will carry on flowering well into July. A good specimen can produce a couple of dozen flower heads in a season.

To maintain flower quality and size, you can use a high potash and phosphate fertiliser every fortnight throughout summer. Home-made comfrey tea is perfect or one of the specialised tomato fertilisers will also do very well.

Please do not be tempted to keep these wallflowers for an extra year. While it is possible to do so, the older they get, the greater the risk of introducing club-root. They also get leggy and become a bit of an eyesore by their second spring. So dig them up and put them on the compost at the end of July or the beginning of August.