Sow where they grow

Sowing seeds where they are to grow is an easy, bother-free way to bring colour to your garden. Here, three experts recommend their favourite flowers for growing direct

ARTHUR PARKINSON

Arthur is a gardener and writer, who co-hosts the Grow, cook, eat, arrange podcast with Sarah Raven @arthurparkinson_

The romance of scattering seeds around the garden and pots is valuable mental child's play for gardeners.

1 Myosotis sylvatica 'Bluesylva' A self-seeding biennial but it is therefore a helpful weed suppressant; the more, the merrier for flower beds that are to be planted with tulip bulbs. I like that once they are over, it's a job of seconds to just pull the old plants out. 20cm x 20xm. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8bt.

2 Echium vulgare Starts out its biennial life as a hairy, green, star-fish seedling that can appear from the tiniest of patio cracks. The following year, beginning in late June usually, come the towers of flowers of royal blue set alive by neon, electric-light-like stamens and anthers of pink. 75cm x 50cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b.

3 Linaria maroccana Little Sweeties mixture Germinates like mustard and cress so sow lightly by the pinch. The flowers are like miniature snapdragons, and thrive on little attention, so are ideal seeds to gift to children for them to try. 45cm x 30cm. RHS H5, USDA 4a-9b.

4 Helleborus argutifolius A must-have, late-winter plant with lime-cordial-toned flowers. Does well in places many plants would not cope - in dry and dappled shade among equally thuggish cottage garden perennials, and directly under trees. 50cm x 90cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 6a-8b.

5 Foeniculum vulgare I'd be happy to reach old age and have an entire garden all a-fizz with fennel. For a more cultivated charm, 'Purpureum' with its brown ostrichlike foliage is a favourite froth of welcome clumping in my garden. 1.8m x 45cm. RHS H5, USDA 4a-9b.