Marshalls 'Traditional Cottage Garden Collection'

• Fantastic mix of well-loved cottage garden perennials
• Flowers year after year
• Seedlings flower in their first year
• Great value for money

This fantastic mix of well-loved cottage garden perennial includes lupins, foxgloves and delphiniums, creating a gorgeous informal mix of colours and flowers that comes back year after year. Plant them en masse for a spectacular effect or share them with your family and friends! For a natural look, plant closely, placing similar plants in groups of 3 or 5. These vigorous seedlings will grow away strongly in spring once they are planted out, with many flowering in their first year.

The collection contains:

• Lupin ‘Gallery Mix’ x 20 – dwarf lupins with a compact, bushy habit and masses of flowerspikes in bright colours
• Digitalis ‘Dalmatian Mix’ x 20 – flowers in its first year, producing tall, colourful flowerspires that pollinators love
• Delphinium ‘Magic Fountain Mix’ x 20 – dwarf delphiniums with masses of flowers in shades of lilac, white and blue with little or no need to stake

How you will receive your plants:

Selected by our team of experts and sent from our nursery, you will receive your seedlings in plug trays in a box. These are designed to keep your plants secure and to prevent damage in transit. The seedlings need to be potted on before planting out.

Can’t plant straight away?

If you aren't able to plant your seedlings out straight away then ensure they stay moist. You can place your plugs on a saucer or tray of shallow water so they are able to stay hydrated. Aim to have your plugs potted on within 3 days.

Potting seedling plugs on: On arrival place your plug trays in shallow water to allow them to soak ensuring the rootballs are moist. Use the end of a pencil or a narrow dibber to gently tease your plugs out of their trays. Choose potting on pots approximately 3 inches in diameter to plant your plugs on. Fill the pots with quality potting on compost and tap down until level. Use your pencil to make a hole in the top of the compost and place your plug plant in, gently pushing around the base of the plant. Repeat this process for all of your plugs and then place them in a tray and thoroughly water with a watering can using a fine rose to prevent the compost from being displaced. Grow your plants in a cold-frame, large sunny windowsill, or greenhouse. Water every 2-3 days and more frequently if sunny to prevent drying out.

Hardening off: Once your potted on plants reach a good size and are ready to plant out in their final location, the first step is to harden them off before moving them outdoors permanently. This involves simply placing them outdoors during the day and back undercover at night to allow them to get accustomed to the lower temperatures. Once they have been hardened off for a week your plants should be ready to plant out in their final location.

Aftercare:

Deadhead faded flowers to encourage a second flush of flowers.