If you're growing your plants in a pot for showing on the patio, pot on regularly as plants grow from spring to early summer. Feed and water regularly to ensure a good display. Allow 1 plant per 30cm (12 inches) pot, or 3 per 40cm (16 inches) pot. To create the pincushion effect, pinch out the growing shoot 2 weeks after potting, and again when the new side shoots are 8cm (3 inches) tall. Flowering will stop prior to or after the first frost. When the foliage is black, cut back level with the compost and then protect the pot from hard frosts and keep dry. The following spring, remove the early shoots and then remove 50% of the rootball before re-potting. Pinch your plants once and grow on as per the previous year. If growing in the garden, feed and water regularly. Cut back as if growing in a pot, cover the roots with organic matter to help protect them from frost. Watch for greenfly - an early application of a systemic spray will keep this at bay.
Chrysanthemum 'Fancy That!'
Height 20cm (8-10 inches)
Plant 45-50cm (18-20 inches) apart
You can grow 'Fancy That!' in hanging baskets, containers or in the border. If grown in any position or container never let dry out or growth development is severely restricted. Feed and water regularly to ensure a good display. Unlike normal hardy Chrysanthemums 'Fancy That!' does not need pinching to create an eye catching display. We recommend you use 3 plug plants in a 25-30cm (10-12 inches) basket or 1 plug plant in a 15cm (6 inches) pot which when fully grown can be potted on to achieve a magnificent autumn display. Provide protection from the cold in winter. Top growth will die back in winter and when the plants begin to grow the following spring, cut back all the dead stems.
Chrysanthemums Incurved
Height 60-90cm (24-36 inches)
Plant 45cm (18 inches) apart
To achieve large blooms on incurved varieties, it is essential to remove the growing tip by pinching out 2.5cm (1 inches) of growth, and allowing shoots to develop. From this select 4 strong stems, and further remove side shoots on these stems to leave the main flower bud to produce one large flower. Additional side shoots will reduce the size of the flower. Incurves are also easily stressed by heat and over/under watering.
Chrysanthemum Spray
Height 60-90cm (24-36 inches)
Plant 45cm (18 inches) apart
Two weeks after potting, pinch out the leading shoot. This will encourage your plant to sprout from the base, giving you 3 or 4 strong stems for cutting in the autumn. We recommend your plants are well supported to stop wind damage. Watch for greenfly and spray as required with a recommended insecticide. Do not plant into the garden until all danger of frost is passed.
Pinks
Height 45-60cm (18-24 inches)
Pinch out growing tip 2 weeks after potting. Perfect for patio pots but not suitable for hanging baskets or Flower Pouches. The wonderful fragrance will fill the air. Remove individual blooms as they fade. Pinks are winter hardy under normal conditions. However, if your plants are in heavy, wet soil they will benefit from some sharp gravel incorporated into the soil which will help improve drainage. Wet soil kills more Pinks than cold weather. Don't forget Pinks make perfect cut flowers.
Dianthus 'Kiwi' Mixed
Height 15-20cm (6-8 inches)
Plant 20cm (8 inches) apart
Excellent ground cover for smothering weeds, and makes a wonderful cut flower. Very easy to grow in any well-drained soil in full sun, although try to avoid very wet soils. If your soil can become wet during the winter, then dig in some gravel when planting to help drainage. Pinch out tips of plants two weeks after potting to encourage bushiness, and remove faded flowers through the season. Flowers summer to autumn.
Trailing Carnations (Including 'Arosa')
Trailing to 23cm (9 inches)
Plant 38cm (15 inches) apart
Pinch out growing tip two weeks after potting to encourage trailing habit. Plant out after all risk of frost. Perfect for patio pots, hanging baskets and Flower Pouches, allowing 15cm (6 inches) between plants. The wonderful fragrance will fill the air. Remove individual blooms as they fade.
Carnation 'Can Can'
Height 38cm (15 inches)
Plant 45cm (18 inches) apart
The frilly blooms of these delightful carnations emit rich fragrance, ideal for patio pots, borders and bedding, but not hanging baskets. Provide a well-drained soil in full sun, although try to avoid very wet soils. Pinch out tips of plants two weeks after potting to encourage bushiness, and remove faded flowers through the season. Flowers summer. Half Hardy Annual.
