Bee & Butterfly Flower Seeds – 10 pack

Optimal Flower Placement for Maximum Benefits in Your Vegetable Garden

Strategic placement of flowers can maximize pollination, deter pests, and create a balanced ecosystem in your vegetable garden. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Perimeter Planting (Natural Border for Pollinators & Pest Control)

Best Flowers: Calendula, Alyssum, Sweet William, Cornflower, Candytuft

Why?

• Planting flowers around the edges of your vegetable garden creates a natural barrier that attracts pollinators while deterring pests.
• Calendula repels aphids and attracts ladybugs.
• Alyssum brings in hoverflies, which eat aphids.
• Cornflower attracts predatory insects like ladybugs that feed on soft-bodied pests.

Placement Tip:

• Alternate flowers along the garden perimeter, spacing them 20–40 cm apart, depending on their size.
• Calendula and Cornflower work well along fence lines or in raised bed borders.

2. Companion Planting Among Vegetables

Best Flowers: Marigolds (Calendula), Alyssum, Viola, Forget-Me-Nots

Why?

• Interplanting flowers between vegetable rows improves pollination rates.
• Calendula is great near tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers as it repels nematodes.
• Forget-Me-Nots deter slugs and snails that target leafy greens.
• Alyssum provides ground cover, retains soil moisture, and attracts pollinators to strawberries and lettuce.

Placement Tip:

• Plant Alyssum around leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale.
• Calendula near tomatoes, peppers, and beans.
• Forget-Me-Nots near cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce to deter slugs.

3. Central Flower Patches (Pollinator Magnets)

Best Flowers: Poppy Shirley, Larkspur, Sweet Pea, Cornflower

Why?

• Placing tall, nectar-rich flowers in the center of your garden creates a beacon for bees and butterflies.
• Poppy Shirley attracts bees that help pollinate cucumbers and squash.
• Larkspur and Sweet Pea provide vertical support for climbing vegetables like peas and beans.

Placement Tip:

• Group 3–5 plants in a small patch in the middle of the garden.
• Sweet Peas and Larkspur work well on trellises near beans or peas.
• Cornflower clusters attract pollinators from a distance.

4. Raised Beds & Containers for Easy Management

Best Flowers: Alyssum, Calendula, Viola, Candytuft

Why?

• Ideal for small gardens or urban spaces where flowers need to be contained.
• Alyssum & Viola grow well in containers placed near vegetables.
• Calendula in a raised bed near zucchini or squash can repel pests and attract bees.

Placement Tip:

• Use hanging baskets or pots with Alyssum and Candytuft around garden entrances.
• Place Calendula in raised beds next to fruiting vegetables like zucchini and tomatoes.

5. Trellis & Fence Placement (Vertical Pollinator Highways)

Best Flowers: Sweet Pea, Larkspur

Why?

• Climbing flowers maximize space while drawing in pollinators.
• Sweet Peas bring bees to beans, peas, and cucumbers.
• Larkspur attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, boosting pollination rates.

Placement Tip:

• Plant Sweet Peas and Larkspur along trellises, fences, or the back row of raised beds to avoid shading other plants.
• Space climbing flowers 20–30 cm apart for dense growth.

Final Layout Example

• Perimeter: Calendula, Alyssum, Cornflower, Candytuft (pest control & pollinators)
• Between Rows: Alyssum, Forget-Me-Nots, Calendula (moisture retention & natural pest deterrent)
• Central Patch: Poppy Shirley, Larkspur, Cornflower (pollinator attraction)
• Trellis & Fences: Sweet Peas, Larkspur (maximize vertical space & pollinator pathways)
• Containers/Raised Beds: Alyssum, Calendula, Viola (space-saving & soil improvement)

Bonus Tip: Succession Planting for Year-Round Blooms

To keep pollinators in your garden throughout the season, stagger planting times:

• Spring bloomers: Viola, Alyssum, Larkspur, Forget-Me-Nots
• Summer bloomers: Cornflower, Calendula, Sweet Pea, Poppy Shirley
• Autumn bloomers: Sweet William, Candytuft

By planting flowers strategically, your vegetable garden will produce better crops, have fewer pests, and support bees and butterflies all season long! 🌸🐝🦋

Growing Flowers to Benefit Your Garden

Growing these flowers in your garden provides significant benefits, not just for pollinators like bees and butterflies but also for your vegetable garden. Here’s how:

Benefits for Bees & Butterflies

• Attracts Pollinators – Bees and butterflies rely on nectar and pollen for food. These flowers provide a consistent and diverse source of nourishment.
• Increases Pollination – By attracting pollinators, your flowers help ensure better pollination for fruiting plants, improving crop yields in your vegetable garden.
• Supports Biodiversity – A healthy population of bees and butterflies helps maintain ecosystem balance by supporting various plant and insect species.
• Provides Habitat & Shelter – Flowering plants give pollinators a place to rest, hide from predators, and lay eggs.
• Extends the Blooming Season – Growing a mix of flowers that bloom at different times ensures that pollinators have food throughout the growing season.

How These Flowers Benefit Your Vegetable Garden

1. Improved Pollination for Higher Yields

Many vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, pumpkins, and beans, depend on pollinators for fruit development. By planting flowers nearby, you increase the chances of successful pollination and bigger harvests.

2. Natural Pest Control

Some flowers attract beneficial insects that prey on garden pests:

• Calendula & Alyssum: Attract hoverflies, which feed on aphids.
• Cornflower & Sweet William: Draw in ladybugs, which eat aphids, mites, and scale insects.
• Forget-Me-Nots: Can deter pests like slugs and snails.

3. Increases Garden Health & Biodiversity

A diverse mix of flowers improves soil health, supports beneficial insect populations, and enhances overall garden resilience.

Companion planting flowers with vegetables creates a balanced ecosystem, reducing the need for pesticides.

4. Encourages Longer Blooming Periods

By mixing different flowers, you ensure that pollinators visit your garden throughout the year, helping vegetables bloom and set fruit over an extended period.

Best Flowers for Your Vegetable Garden & Their Benefits

By integrating flowers into your vegetable garden, you create a pollinator-friendly environment that supports both nature and food production. These flowers attract the bees and butterflies necessary for a thriving vegetable patch while also keeping pest populations in check. 🌼🐝🦋

How to Start Growing Bee & Butterfly Flowers

Get ready to transform your garden into a colourful haven that attracts butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds with this vibrant flower mix! Growing flowers from seed is easy, affordable, and incredibly rewarding. Each packet is filled with premium-quality seeds, stored in ideal conditions to ensure they're fresh and ready to bloom. For best results, scatter seeds on the surface of finely composted black soil, mist daily, and provide ample sunlight. Sowing seeds in trays can protect them from birds and insects, and using the right soil type is key for healthy growth. Mulch, clay, or rocky soils may impact results. Remember, some perennial varieties won't bloom in the first year as they're busy establishing strong roots, so a little patience will be rewarded in future seasons. Enjoy the beauty, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need help growing your dream garden!

Each packet contains

How to Grow Flowers

Poppy Shirley

Sowing Time: Late summer to autumn

Depth: 3 mm deep, 30 cm apart

Germination: 10–14 days at 16–24°C

Maturity: 20 weeks

Growing Tips & Care: Prefers well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Full sun is essential for best flowering. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous blooming. Avoid overwatering, as poppies dislike soggy soil.

Viola Braves

Sowing Time: Spring after frost

Depth: 5 mm deep, 20 cm apart

Germination: 4–8 days at 18–24°C

Maturity: 110 days

Growing Tips & Care: Prefers moist, well-draining soil and partial to full sun. Regular watering is needed, especially in dry conditions. Pinch back early growth to promote bushier plants. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Sweet William

Sowing Time: Late summer, autumn, or spring

Depth: 5 mm deep, 30 cm apart

Germination: 1–2 weeks at 20–25°C

Maturity: 20 weeks

Growing Tips & Care: Thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with full sun to partial shade. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering. Can be susceptible to rust, so provide good air circulation.

Larkspur

Sowing Time: Direct in autumn and spring

Depth: 3 mm deep, 20 cm apart

Germination: 2–3 weeks at 18–24°C

Maturity: 135 days

Growing Tips & Care: Prefers cool temperatures and full sun. Sow seeds where they will grow, as they dislike transplanting. Support taller plants with stakes to prevent lodging. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth.

Cornflower

Sowing Time: Direct or raise seedlings in spring, autumn, and early winter

Depth: 5 mm deep, 25 cm apart

Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20°C

Maturity: 7 days

Other Info: Requires full sun; hardy annual

Growing Tips & Care: Drought-tolerant and thrives in poor to moderately fertile soil. Water sparingly but regularly during dry spells. Deadhead to encourage more blooms. Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Forget-Me-Not

Sowing Time: Late summer or autumn

Depth: 3 mm deep, 30 cm apart

Germination: 2–3 weeks at 18–22°C

Flowering: 10–12 weeks

Plant Height: 30 cm

Other Info: Hardy biennial

Growing Tips & Care: Prefers moist, rich soil and partial shade. Keep soil evenly moist, especially in warm weather. Easily self-seeds, making it a great naturalizing plant. Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth.

Alyssum

Sowing Time: Direct or raise seedlings in spring or summer

Depth: 2 mm deep, 20 cm apart

Germination: 1–2 weeks at 21–24°C

Maturity: 60 days

Other Info: Requires light to germinate

Growing Tips & Care: Prefers well-drained, light soil. Requires full sun to partial shade. Water moderately but do not overwater. Shear back plants after the first bloom to encourage reblooming. Attracts beneficial insects.

Calendula

Sowing Time: Spring and autumn

Depth: 15 mm deep, 40 cm apart

Germination: 1–2 weeks at 21–24°C

Maturity: 70–80 days

Growing Tips & Care: Thrives in full sun and rich, well-draining soil. Regular deadheading will prolong blooming. Drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering. Can be prone to powdery mildew, so provide good air circulation.

Candytuft

Sowing Time: Spring or autumn

Depth: 5 mm deep, 20 cm apart

Germination: 2–3 weeks at 18–28°C

Maturity: 90–100 days

Growing Tips & Care: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth. Beneficial for attracting pollinators.

Sweet Pea

Sowing Time: Spring or autumn

Depth: 25 mm deep, 20 cm apart

Germination: 2–3 weeks at 15–20°C

Flowering: 90–100 days

Other Info: Hardy annual; plant height 50 cm

Growing Tips & Care: Requires well-draining, nutrient-rich soil and full sun. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide support such as trellises or stakes for climbing varieties. Deadhead regularly to encourage more blooms.