What are 'hardy' and 'half hardy' annuals?

Question:

I have decided to try and grow plants from seed next year but am a little confused by some of the terms used in the catalogue (half hardy annual and hardy annual) Help!

Answer:

Growing from seed is a great idea. You will not only save money but you will get a huge sense of achievement from it. Once you understand the terms 'hardy' and 'half hardy annual', buying seed will be so much easier.

Annuals are plants that complete their growing cycle in a year so if you are looking for lots of flowers quickly they are the answer. You will have to sow seed every year but if you’re lucky some will self-seed.

Hardy annuals include popular plants such as 'love in the mist' and nasturtiums. They are tough enough to copy with fairly cool weather in spring. Therefore, these can be sown outside – no need to have a greenhouse or grow them on a windowsill indoors. This makes them the easiest and most low-fuss option – great for children to try.

Half hardy annuals are those that prefer to start their days in the warmth of a greenhouse or house and include plants such as 'Busy Lizzies' and petunias. They won’t cope so well with a cool spring. You will find that these will be affected by an autumn frost before the hardy annuals. Always sow these in a seed composts rather than an multi-purpose type as results are often better.

There are some great seed companies who sell in garden centres and on line. Try Mr Fothergill’s, Suttons or Thompson & Morgan – the range is quite incredible.

Tamsin Westhorpe - Editor, The English Garden magazine