I always struggle to grow my favourite flowers from seed, so I cheat and buy mini plug plants to grow on.
I have a patch right at the front of the plot just for my flowers. Hubby encourages it because once the flowers are blooming it can look really pretty and colourful, it distracts eyes away from the weedy bits further back
My absolute favourite is lobelia crystal palace. They grow in neat little globes, the bees seem to like it, and it's a stunning purple.
On order this year I have -
Lobelia Crystal Palace
Mesembryanthemum Livingstone Daisy Mixed
Salvia Vista Red
Rudbeckia Tiger Eye
Petunia Trailing Tumbelina Candy Floss
Million Bells Collection
Alyssum Clear Crystal White
Lavender Spanish Eyes
The petunias and million bells are for a double hanging basket near the shed, and the lavender was requested by hubby as he loves the smell.
We have spring bulbs planted which are in action - crocus, snowdrop, daffodil, tulip - and also a row of oriental lillies which look pretty when they flower later in the summer.
I think there are about 200 plug plants in my order so I hope to have a pretty display this year
I just flick through catalogues/websites and go 'oooh that's pretty' then make a list of the ones I like. Then I look at when they flower, and most importantly how tall/wide they grow. I make sure I have a mixture of contrasting colours (I like to plant defined stripes/rows/sections) and with little ones at the front and taller ones at the back, no taller than about 50cm.
I do love a good flower patch