Wallflowers are an attractive border plant, named for their uncanny ability to grow in the tiniest and most inhospitable looking cracks in vertical walls. They come in a wide range of colours which means that this biennial flower is perfect for enlivening a garden.
Growing wallflowers:
Wallflowers always look far better when planted in large drifts rather than dotted about individually. While you can plant the wallflowers in the spring, or even sow them from seed, the easiest way to enjoy these unassuming yet colourful flowers is to buy plugs in the autumn. October is a good time to put them in the garden, and you will be rewarded by flowers in March or April which, if they are deadheaded regularly, will last for several months. You can pick these plugs up in low cost bunches so they can also be an economical way to fill a garden border.
Wallflowers will enjoy a sunny spot in soil that is free draining. If you have clay or a rich loamy soil it might be a good idea to amend the soil with grit before planting to improve drainage. Unless your soil is already very limey you should add some lime to water when you are watering in your plants to make sure that the plants are given their optimal growing conditions.
You should place your wallflower plugs around 15cm apart. Make sure that you bury them deep enough to cover the root ball but be sure to keep the base of the stem at soil level. When you are planting the wallflower plugs you should nip off the growing tips to encourage bushy growth and increase the number of flowering stems.
While wallflowers can grow on poor soil, they will respond well to a good organic mulch to keep the roots moist and to prevent them from drying out too much. If they face drought, wallflowers can be prone to going to seed.
Wallflowers are in the brassica family and can suffer from club root, so look out for swellings and unhealthy root systems when you are choosing your plants or you could infect your garden with this fungal problem which could cause havoc in your vegetable beds amongst other members of the same family.
Why grow wallflowers in the garden?
Wallflowers not only have a delightful, delicate look they are also very fragrant and so can be lovely if placed near seating areas where you can smell them. Be sure to investigate your local garden centre or plant nursery in the autumn and you are sure to find a whole range of different colours of wallflower to try in your garden.