How to plant wallflowers

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Sunday, 24 March 2019 at 3:00 pm

Find out how to plant spring-flowering wallflowers, in our practical guide.

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Wallflowers bloom in spring where there's little else in flower. They have a sweet but spicy fragrance, and make an excellent cut flower. Pollinators such as bumblebees benefit from the pollen and nectar they provide early in the year.

Bare root wallflowers are cheap to buy and are usually planted in autumn, often alongside spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips. They are hardy enough to cope with winter frosts and they’ll establish and flower more quickly than those planted in spring.

Find out how to plant bare-root wallflowers, below.

You Will Need

Bare-root wallflowers
Hand fork or trowel

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

How to plant wallflowers - buying bare-root plants

Buy bare-root wallflowers sold in bunches if possible, as these are better value than those sold as potted plants.

Step 2

How to plant wallflowers - planting them closely for impact

Soak roots in water for at least an hour before planting them out in borders or containers. Plant them closely together for maximum impact, bearing in mind that they will become bushier as they develop. Water in well and allow to drain.