Gardening Direct launch over 40 new varieties in their Autumn 2009 Collection


At a time when many plant suppliers are reducing their autumn ranges, Gardening Direct has launched an outstanding 2009 collection including many varieties that are new, rare or exclusive to the company.

Highlights from the extensive range of annuals on offer include the rare Pansy Padparadja (with its large orange petals), the scented, blue-shaded Pansy Moonlight Mix and the long-lasting, brightly coloured Pansy Sunburst, exclusive to Gardening Direct by mail order and breathtaking when mass-planted in borders. Another Pansy of note is Spring Dawn, a plant with delicate flowers in white, pale blue and soft pink that is new and exclusive to Gardening Direct.

Other annuals include a wide selection of new varieties of Viola with the rare and unusual Viola Fuji Dawn providing a mass of pink tinged foliage and dark purple flowers next spring, the unusual Viola Callisto Denim whose blue flowers changecolourover timeand Viola Valentino, a profusion of ‘hot’ red flowers standing high above dark foliage – the perfect compact variety for containers and small borders.

Notable other annuals comprise the exclusive Primrose Alaska Fire Glow Mix (deep red and bright yellow flowers), the new scented Wallflower Pastel Patchwork (different coloured flowers on the same stem!) and Polyanthus Prince Regent Mix (eye-catching blooms and beautifully shaped leaves).

The choice of Perennials is also very broad with new varieties such as Iberis Tahoe (pure white flowers and narrow, evergreen leaves) and Aubrietia Deep Purple Audelpur (low-growing purpleflowers in abundance) as well as the wonderfully-named Eryngium Planum Blue Hobbit with its conical blue flowers and dramatic spiky bracts or the sweet-smelling Lavender Ellagance Purple, the perfect variety for container, border or pathway.

Bulbs are not overlooked in the autumn collection with a wide range of varieties, mixes and collections, many of which are new for 2009. From the dramatic Oriental Lily Pastel Mix (large, pale blooms) to the heirloom variety Daffodil Double Campernelle (scented, double-petaled flowers) and from the rare Tulip Ice Cream (raspberry and white coned-shaped flowers) to the classic Hyacinth City of Haarlem (highly-scented primrose flowers), there is a selection here for every gardener, regardless of expertise or knowledge.

A selection of well-chosen accessories completes the Autumn Collection, including a handy Growhouse in different heights, the ingenious Easi Plant Hanging Baskets and a range of Gardening Direct branded, specialist Fertilisers.

Prices are highly competitive, with 120 plug plants costing from only £7.99. Full growing details are supplied to customers to ensure peak growth.

Gardening Direct is one of the UK’s leading mail order suppliers and on-line retailers of live plants and bulbs, with a comprehensive collection of plants to suit all gardens and conditions. They supply plug plants in three sizes: small (up to 2in/5cm), medium (up to 3in/7cm) and large (up to 4 in/10cm).

The company grows over 130 million plants per year in glasshouses at their two Jersey nurseries and, unlike most mail order plant suppliers, grows the majority of plants themselves from seed or cutting. This ensures that all the plants are of the highest quality. All the company’s plants, seeds, bulbs and accessories are covered by a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. For more information see website at www.gardeningdirect.co.uk

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