The Spring Hot Collection

Each collection contains 10 full-sized seed packets, carefully selected to create a vibrant, hot-coloured garden:

1. 💛 Craspedia 'Drumstick'

Iconic golden-yellow globes on stiff stems. Loved for their quirky, perfectly spherical flower heads that add bold structural colour all summer long. Fantastic for cutting and drying—simply cut when firm and fully yellow. A modern, architectural addition that provides cheerful sunshine colour from mid-summer to first frost.

2. 🧡 Tithonia 'Goldfinger'

Mexican Sunflower producing vibrant orange, dahlia-like flowers on compact 70cm plants. A blaze of summer colour that's incredibly easy to grow. These bold blooms are magnets for bees and butterflies, providing brilliant contrast in borders and stunning cutting material. Heat-loving and drought-tolerant once established.

3. 🌻 Zinnia 'Giants of California'

Enormous, magnificent, flat-petalled, semi-double flowers of 12-15cm in diameter. A riot of hot colours including cherry, orange, scarlet, and yellow (plus pink and purple for variety). Reliable workhorse that produces endless cutting material all summer. The more you pick, the more they bloom!

4. 🌹 Nigella 'Mulberry Rose'

Deep rose blooms nestled in delicate, misty foliage. Love-in-a-Mist creates an ethereal, romantic haze in warm tones. After flowering, produces stunning architectural seed pods perfect for drying. A two-for-one plant that provides both beautiful flowers and incredible structure. RHS Award of Garden Merit winner.

5. 🌈 Mesembryanthemum 'Harlequin Mix'

Livingstone Daisies in dazzling yellow, pink, orange, salmon, and red—including unusual bi-colours! These cheerful, vibrant flowers thrive in full sun and are incredibly drought-tolerant once established. Perfect for sunny borders, rock gardens, and containers. Open wide on sunny days to create a carpet of brilliant colour.

6. 🖤 Poppy 'Black Peony'

The most dramatic poppy you can grow! Stunning, large ruffled flowers in deep, rich burgundy (almost black) with contrasting silvery foliage. After the flowers fade, enjoy the large, sculptural seed heads perfect for drying. This moody, sophisticated variety adds depth and drama to the hot colour palette.

7. 💗 Daucus carota 'Dara'

Chocolate Lace Flower—the moody, vintage cousin of Queen Anne's Lace. Large, lacy umbels open pale pink and mature into rich shades of deep crimson, chocolate, and dusty purple. Often displays a mesmerising ombré effect on individual flower heads. Essential for adding texture and wild, meadow-style elegance to bouquets.

8. ❤️ Cosmos 'Sensation Dazzler'

Vibrant crimson-red single blooms on tall, graceful stems with classic feathery foliage. Part of the loved 'Sensation' series known for reliability and continuous flowering. These bold red flowers create stunning contrast against the airy green foliage. Excellent cut-and-come-again variety that blooms from mid-summer until frost.

9. 🔴 Amaranthus 'Red'

Dramatic cascading tassels in deep, rich red. These architectural plants provide vertical interest and incredible texture. Excellent for cutting (both fresh and dried), and the more you cut, the more side shoots develop. Creates bold, statement-making displays and dries beautifully while holding its brilliant crimson colour.

10. 🌺 Dahlia 'Bishop's Children'

Single-flowered dahlias with stunning dark bronze-purple foliage and jewel-toned blooms in hot shades of orange, red, yellow, and pink. The dramatic dark leaves provide incredible contrast to the bright flowers. Unlike double dahlias, these keep their pollen accessible for bees. A show-stopping combination of foliage and flower.

This collection has been designed for spring sowing and is perfect for first-time growers. The varieties fall into three main categories:

Hardy Annuals (Indoor or Outdoor Start)

Varieties: Nigella 'Mulberry Rose', Poppy 'Black Peony', Daucus carota 'Dara'

When to Sow: March to May

Indoor Method:

1. Sow seeds in trays or small pots of seed compost, following packet instructions for depth.
2. Keep at 15-18°C until germination occurs.
3. These varieties can handle cooler temperatures than half-hardy annuals.
4. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle.
5. Harden off gradually before planting out in late April or May.

Half-Hardy Annuals (Start Indoors)

Varieties: Zinnia 'Giants of California', Tithonia 'Goldfinger', Cosmos 'Sensation Dazzler', Craspedia 'Drumstick', Mesembryanthemum 'Harlequin Mix', Amaranthus 'Red', Dahlia 'Bishop's Children'

When to Sow: March to April indoors, plant out after last frost (late May)

Method:

1. Sow seeds in trays or small pots of seed compost, following packet instructions for depth.
2. Keep at 18-21°C until germination occurs.
3. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle.
4. Harden off gradually over 7-10 days before planting out.
5. Plant out after all risk of frost has passed, spacing as directed on packets.

Container Growing

Many of these varieties thrive in pots and containers, making them perfect for small-space gardening:

• Best for Containers: Mesembryanthemum 'Harlequin Mix', Zinnia 'Giants of California', Craspedia 'Drumstick', Tithonia 'Goldfinger'
• Container Size: Use pots at least 25-30cm diameter for single plants, or larger containers for mixed hot-colour displays
• Compost: Use good quality, free-draining compost—many of these sun-lovers prefer not to sit in waterlogged soil
• Watering: Most varieties are relatively drought-tolerant once established, but containers still need regular checking in hot weather
• Feeding: Feed every 2 weeks with liquid fertiliser once flowering begins to keep the vibrant colours coming

Why This Collection is Perfect for Cutting

Sophie has deliberately chosen varieties that work beautifully together in bold, dramatic bouquets, following the classic "thriller, filler, spiller" formula:

🔥 Thrillers (Focal Points & Height)

• Zinnia 'Giants of California': Enormous colourful blooms are the showstoppers
• Dahlia 'Bishop's Children': Jewel-toned flowers with dramatic dark foliage
• Tithonia 'Goldfinger': Bold orange dahlia-like flowers command attention

☁️ Fillers (Volume & Texture)

• Daucus carota 'Dara': Lacy chocolate and crimson umbels add wild texture
• Craspedia 'Drumstick': Golden globes provide structural punctuation
• Nigella 'Mulberry Rose': Misty foliage and deep rose blooms soften edges

🌸 Accent Flowers (Drama & Detail)

• Poppy 'Black Peony': Deep burgundy ruffles add moody sophistication
• Cosmos 'Sensation Dazzler': Vibrant crimson creates punch
• Amaranthus 'Red': Cascading tassels provide movement and drama
• Mesembryanthemum 'Harlequin': Bright daisy faces add cheerful accents

Arrangement Ideas

The Sunset Blaze

Combine Tithonia's orange blooms with golden Craspedia drumsticks, add deep crimson Cosmos for contrast, and soften with Daucus 'Dara' lace. This creates a stunning warm-toned arrangement that captures the colours of a summer sunset.

The Hot Border Bouquet

Use Zinnia 'Giants' as your main event, pair with Dahlia 'Bishop's Children' for foliage contrast, add height with Amaranthus tassels, and fill in with Nigella's misty rose tones. Bold, architectural, and utterly dramatic.

The Moody Dried Arrangement

Harvest Craspedia drumsticks, Amaranthus tassels, Poppy 'Black Peony' seed heads, Daucus 'Dara', and Nigella pods. Hang upside down to dry, then create a long-lasting display in rich burgundies, chocolate browns, and golden yellows that requires no water.

Why This Makes a Thoughtful Gift

The Spring Hot Collection is beautifully presented and makes an ideal gift for:

• Bold gardeners: Perfect for those who love vibrant, show-stopping colour rather than subtle pastels
• First-time growers: Sophie's beginner-friendly selections take the guesswork out of what to grow
• Sun worshippers: Ideal for anyone with a sunny garden or patio who wants to make the most of it
• Cut flower enthusiasts: A complete palette for creating dramatic, market-style bouquets
• Dried flower lovers: Half the collection dries beautifully for year-round enjoyment
• Sophie's followers: Perfect for anyone who follows @lookinsidemygarden and wants to grow along with her courses

What's Included

• 10 full-sized seed packets (not sample sizes!)
• Complete growing instructions on each packet
• Eco-friendly, recyclable packaging
• Curated specifically by Sophie Valentine
• Coordinated hot-colour palette for bold displays
• Mix of varieties suitable for cutting, drying, and garden display

I'm a complete beginner – is this collection suitable for me?

Absolutely! Sophie specifically chose varieties that are forgiving and straightforward to grow. These sun-loving plants are generally quite robust once established. Full instructions are provided on each packet, and Sophie's Instagram provides ongoing support throughout the season.

Do these flowers really need full sun?

Yes, most varieties in this collection are sun-lovers that perform best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The hot colours and vigorous flowering depend on plenty of sunshine. If you have a shady garden, consider the Romantic Collection instead, which includes more shade-tolerant options.

Can I grow these varieties individually, or must they all be grown together?

Each variety works beautifully on its own! While the collection is designed to work together as a vibrant hot-colour scheme, you can absolutely grow your favourites individually. Each packet contains enough seeds for a good display of that particular variety.

Will these varieties come back next year?

Most are annuals (completing their life cycle in one season). However, several will self-seed if you allow them to drop seeds naturally. Nigella, Poppy, and Cosmos are particularly good self-seeders. Dahlia tubers can be lifted and stored over winter in frost-free areas for replanting the following year.

Are these flowers good for pollinators?

Yes! Many of these varieties are excellent for pollinators: Zinnia, Cosmos, Tithonia (an absolute bee magnet!), Dahlia 'Bishop's Children' (single flowers with accessible pollen), and Nigella all attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. You'll be supporting wildlife while creating your vibrant garden.

What's the difference between the Hot Collection and the Romantic Collection?

The Romantic Collection features soft pastels (pinks, purples, lilacs, whites) for a gentle, vintage aesthetic. The Hot Collection showcases bold, vibrant colours (reds, oranges, yellows, burgundy) for dramatic, eye-catching displays. Both are curated by Sophie Valentine and equally beginner-friendly—choose based on your colour preference!

How do I find Sophie's growing guides and courses?

Follow Sophie on Instagram @lookinsidemygarden where she regularly shares growing tips, video tutorials, and runs seasonal Grow Club courses. She makes growing from seed accessible, affordable, and achievable for everyone—no matter your experience level or space constraints.