Busy Lizzie : Tempo Series Mixed

Half-hardy Annual

• Flowers in : June to frost
• Germination : Experience Useful
• Aftercare : Easy
• Ideal for : Baskets, Bedding, Borders, Containers, Patios, Pot Plants
• Height : 10 inches

Description

The result of intensive breeding work aimed at combining the best characteristics. Extremely large 4-5cm (1½-2in) bright and showy flowers, in a mixture of apricot, blush pink, rosy pink, vivid red, deep scarlet and white, abundantly produced on compact, uniform and early plants. Ideal for hanging baskets, windowboxes, pots or bedding in sun or shade. Flowers all summer long. Height 20-26cm (8-10in).

Culinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible. For more details about edible flowers click here.

Click here for information on busy lizzie problems from the Royal Horticultural Society and our recommended alternative varieties

 Customer Rating

Reviews
Superb, unfussy busy lizzie grown from seed
By Caroline White 16-05-2011
We had no problems with this seed - just followed the packet instructions taking special note not to overwater them. They are sturdy little plants with bright foliage (a few with some mottled variation) lots of flowers and the colours are clear and pretty - just the thing to enliven the garden between late spring flowering plants and the mid-summer display. I used some good quality seed compost and a cheap heated propagator to help get them started in 1st week of March. The seed in every module came up within a day of each other and then I removed the heat. After a couple of weeks I transferred the mini plugs into larger modules initially on a cooler (light) windowsill, and about a fortnight later I put them in the greenhouse where they remained through most of April. I transferred them to a cold-frame to free up space in the greenhouse and on 9th May planted them into an urn and a large hanging basket - where they are settling in nicely.

Sowing Instructions

Sow late winter to mid spring at 21-24C (70-75F) on the surface of a good seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Ensure the soil is damp but not wet and seal inside a polythene bag until after germination, usually 14-21 days. Do not exclude light.

Growing Instructions

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out, after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart in sun or part shade on ordinary well drained soil. For pot plants, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots, grow cool, well ventilated and give plenty of light, but shade from direct sun.

Aftercare

For dwarf early blooming plants grow on the dry side and do not feed.