This season, Johnsons launches exclusive Cosmos Kiiro as part of its seed range. The result of new Japanese breeding (‘Kiiro’ means ‘yellow’ in Japanese), the flower’s unique yellow petals with peach coloured reverses, provide a stunning display, standing out against the more traditional cosmos colours. Each packet has an RRP of £2.40 for 75 seeds.
Other new additions to the Johnsons flower collections include Dianthus Hollandia Purple Crown (RRP £2.40 for 100 seeds), a beautiful annual flowering sweet william. Trialled at the Johnsons grounds in Kentford, the scented blooms come highly recommended for cut flowers and classic border displays. Zinnia Cresto Mixed (RRP £2.85 for 50 seeds), is a striking crested ‘scabious’ type, with long lasting domed blooms on sturdy stems, perfect for cutting.
Further highlights include Calendula Calexis Yellow, which showcases unusual quilled, spiky petals. These hardy annual, easy to grow bright flowers provide season long colour and have an RRP of £2.40 for 75 seeds. Antirrhinum Twilight Mixed (£2.40 for 750 seeds), is a compact new variety, with attractive dark, almost black foliage which contrasts with the colourful blooms. Alison Mulvaney, Johnsons Technical Manager commented “We’ve been watching this variety for a few years through the supplier’s breeding programme, so it’s great to finally see it available for us to sell to our customers. We think it will be a really popular addition to the Johnsons flower range.”
Both of these flowers have been awarded Fleuroselect Approved Novelty status, having been recognised by the Fleuroselect judges to be sufficiently new and different to existing cultivars and having passed the rigorous requirement for uniformity.
New Cosmos Antiquity (RRP £2.65 for 30 seeds) has unusually coloured flowers that mature from a rich burgundy to a mellow bronze-pink with an almost metallic sheen. With an RRP of £2.85 for 10 seeds, Echinacea Mellow Yellows is the final flower addition. With extraordinary yellow coneflowers that are loved by bees and butterflies, this long-lived perennial variety can bloom from the first year.
Supporting Fleuroselect’s ‘Year of the Cucumber’, Johnsons introduces Cucumber Silor F1 (RRP £2.65 for 5 seeds) to the 2020 vegetable range. Producing an abundance of small, bitter-free fruits, this variety is also highly disease resistant. Adding to the herbs range, new Dill Nano (RRP £2.20 for 200 seeds) grows incredibly quickly and as a dwarf selection, it’s perfect for patio pots and containers where garden space is limited.
Other additions to the vegetable range include Squash (Winter) Tahiti Melon (RRP £2.40 for 10 seeds). This unusual, large variety provides richly coloured and sweet tasting flesh, a perfect variety for roasting. Climbing French Bean Sunshine, is a string-less yellow wax bean with delicious long pods and a crisp ‘snap’. Highly recommended for flavour and productivity. Each packet has an RRP of £3.50 for 100 seeds.
