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At Fothergill's, we believe gardening is for everyone. From woody shrubs plants to pretty flower plants and tasty veg, there are many wonderful plants that are easy to grow in British gardens, even for complete beginners.
But if you're new to gardening, it can be tricky to know where to start, especially when it comes to understanding the terminology. For example, what does 'hardy annual' mean? What's the difference between perennials and biennials?
Don't worry – these terms might sound technical, but they're actually quite simple to understand. In this guide, we’ll talk you through various different types of plants and seeds, including annuals, perennials, and biennials. Once you’re familiar with these key plant classifications, you'll be well on your way to creating the garden of your dreams!
What Are Annual Plants?
Annual seeds and plants complete their entire life cycle – from seed to flower to seed again – in just one growing season. In other words, they die at the end of their first year rather than lying dormant to grow again.
While annual flowering plants are short-lived, they're often the show-stoppers of the British garden. They typically bloom from late spring right through to autumn and can produce some of the biggest, brightest, and most spectacular flowers you'll ever see! Most vegetable plants, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, are also annuals.
Some annuals – including many native British wildflowers – will reliably self-seed, surprising you by sprouting new plants the following season. Others, such as F1 hybrid varieties, have to be replanted each year.
What Are Hardy Annual Plants?
Hardy annual plants are annuals that can withstand cold temperatures and frosts, making them ideal for the UK climate. They can usually be sown directly into the ground outside, where they are to grow, as they won’t be killed off by a sudden cold snap! However, if germinated indoors, they should still be introduced to the outdoors gradually.
Most hardy annual seeds are sown in late autumn/winter or early spring, depending on the variety. Some popular options include:
If you don’t want to sow seeds, you can also buy hardy annuals as young flowering plants, which will take less time to grow and bloom.
What Are Half-Hardy Annuals?
Half-hardy annuals are annuals that are more sensitive to cold and cannot survive frost. Unlike their tough, hardy cousins, these plants need a bit more care and protection in the UK's cool climate.
Typically, you'll need to sow half-hardy annual seeds indoors or in a heated greenhouse and only transplant them outside once the weather has warmed – usually around late May or early June. Some varieties, though, can be sown outside once the risk of frost has passed. Examples of half-hardy annual seeds include cosmos seeds, zinnia seeds, and French marigolds.
What Are Perennial Plants?
Perennial seeds and plants live for more than two years, coming back season after season. They're the mainstays of British flower beds and borders, typically growing a bit more slowly but becoming larger and more impressive over time.
Herbaceous perennials die back to the roots in autumn before regrowing completely the following spring. Woody perennials, however, have woody stems that remain above ground during winter – some, called evergreen perennials, will even keep their leaves. You can also get perennial vegetables, like asparagus and perpetual spinach.
Perennials are known for being reliable, low-maintenance plants, and they make a great investment for gardeners as you don’t have to replant them each year. Once established, they need very minimal care and attention to keep them looking great!
What Are Hardy Perennials?
Hardy perennials, like hardy annuals, can survive frost and freezing temperatures. These plants will happily live outdoors in British gardens all year round, going dormant during winter and then springing back to life in spring with fresh growth and flowers.
You can sow hardy perennial seeds directly outdoors or propagate them indoors for a faster start if you prefer. Popular varieties include:
As with annuals, you can also buy hardy perennial plants if you don’t want to wait for seeds to germinate. Many flower bulbs and tubers are also hardy perennials, such as daffodils and crocuses.
What Are Half-Hardy Perennials?
Half-hardy perennials won’t survive a frost, so they’ll need some protection over winter to ensure they return year after year. This may mean adding a thick layer of mulch over the roots, or even digging the plants up and bringing them indoors until spring.
Sometimes, you might see half-hardy perennial plants referred to as ‘tender perennials’. Technically, they’re slightly different: half-hardy perennials can tolerate cold and wet weather but not frost, whereas tender perennials won’t survive low temperatures at all. However, they are often grouped together into one category (especially in the UK, where frost and freezing temperatures go hand-in-hand). Examples include pelargoniums (‘tender geraniums’) and dahlias.
What Are Short-Lived Perennials?
As their name suggests, short-lived perennials don’t live for as long as other perennial flowers and plants. They will bloom for a few years but will then start to decline and eventually die. Most gardeners consider any perennial that lives for less than five years to be short-lived, though there’s no strict definition.
Many short-lived perennials are treated as annuals and replaced every year. Tulip bulbs are a classic example – while technically perennials, they often don’t flower reliably after their first season.
What Are Biennial Plants?
Biennial plants take two years to complete their life cycle: they spend their first year in active growth before blooming beautifully in their second year. They’ll die after flowering, though some biennials will self-seed to produce new plants.
Most biennial seeds are sown from April to July, giving seedlings time to grow and build their energy stores before winter. Like annuals and perennials, they may be hardy, half-hardy or tender – less hardy varieties may benefit from germinating indoors.
If you’re looking to grow biennials, some popular options include Sweet William seeds and Digitalis (foxglove plants.)
Shop Seeds and Plants at Fothergill’s
Now you’re familiar with the different types of seeds and plants, it’s time to get growing! At Fothergill’s, we stock a fantastic range of flower seeds, bulbs and plants for home gardeners, as well as vegetable seeds, fruit seeds, and so much more. All of our products come with full growing instructions to help you achieve fantastic results, whether you’re a gardening novice or a green-thumbed expert.
Shop online today for fast UK delivery, or head to our gardening blog for more growing tips!
You may not think it, but your garden is a pretty inspiring place for kids. Yes, it may be tricky to get them away from their devices or motivate them to go outside, but once they’re out there, they will soon reap the rewards. Gardening boasts a whole range of benefits and can teach your child a lot of important life lessons at an early age.
Research shows that gardening can help children of all ages lead more fulfilled, happier, and healthier lives. It's an inexpensive way to gain valuable skills and a better understanding of how nature and the world around us work. So let’s get into it, shall we? Here are Fothergill’s top five benefits of gardening for children:
Gardening With Children Teaches Them Patience
While actively gardening is fun, you don’t necessarily get to enjoy the results immediately. Just think about growing from flower seeds – it can take weeks for the seeds to germinate and grow before their beautiful blossoms appear.
But gardening isn’t about instant gratification; it’s more about the long-term enjoyment of creating the conditions for plants to grow and then flower or produce a tasty harvest. It’s good to teach kids that famous phrase: “Good things come to those who wait”.
Gardening Encourages Kids to Learn About Nature
It’s good to teach young children about the importance of nature, life cycles, and ecosystems. We can also take the opportunity to explain how everything is linked and how we can all take steps to help nurture and care for the natural environment around us. Once out in the garden, they’ll get a chance to understand the value of the outside world.
They can learn about pollinator-friendly plants and seeds and how important insects can be, not only for flower plants but for the natural world in general. If they start to understand and appreciate their surroundings from a young age, they will be more likely to care for them as they grow.
Gardening Gets Them Active
Kids love dirt and the space in which to be free and express themselves! So, it shouldn’t be too hard to get them in the soil, away from the distractions of the indoors. Gardening is also a great way for families to spend time together, participate in hobbies, and exercise together. It can be a great way to burn off some energy, especially when lots of bending, raking, digging, and planting are involved.
Gardening is Good For Their Health
Exercise isn’t the only way in which gardening is great for kids’ health. Picking their fruit and vegetables is the best encouragement for kids to explore and enjoy a whole world of new flavours packed with valuable vitamins and nutrients.
Getting some regular sunshine (with sun protection, of course) will do wonders for their Vitamin D levels! Studies have shown it will also help with their mental health, particularly having a positive effect on ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
Gardening Gives Them Some Responsibility
Gardening doesn’t stop once the seeds have been sown. A garden, its ecosystems, and its plants need to be nurtured to ensure they’ve got the best chance possible of growing. It’s important for the little ones to complete general maintenance tasks, like regular watering and weeding. This ongoing attention will help give your kids a real sense of purpose and achievement when plants flourish, flowers bloom, and crops ripen.
Shop Gardening Essentials At Fothergill’s
Now that you’ve got a better idea of why we’re so insistent that you try gardening with children, it’s time to start your growing journey together!
Here at Fothergill’s, we encourage families to get in the garden and make lasting memories. Enjoy having that specific flower that will always remind you of your youngest or that distinct tomato flavour that takes you right back to the family dinner table for the rest of your life!
We’re a trusted supplier of all things gardening, so make the most of our 100% satisfaction guarantee and choose from our range of flower bulbs, vegetable seeds, and more at Fothergill’s.
Introducing children to gardening and cooking from an early age is a fantastic way to get them excited about food, encourage healthy eating habits, and spend quality time together as a family. By growing their own fruit seeds and vegetable plants, kids learn responsibility, patience, and the joy of eating something they’ve nurtured from seed to plate.
If you’re looking for easy cooking activities for kids, we’ve got plenty of fun ideas that will bring gardening and cooking together in a way that’s both educational and delicious!
Benefits of gardening for children
Gardening isn’t just about growing food; it’s a fantastic way to teach children valuable life skills while providing an opportunity for outdoor fun. It encourages self-sufficiency, giving children a sense of independence and achievement when growing their own food. It can also teach patience and responsibility, as watching plants grow takes time and care, helping them understand patience and the importance of nurturing.
If you’ve been looking for ways to spend time with your children, gardening is a wonderful activity for family bonding away from screens.
Many fruits and vegetables are simple to grow and maintain, making gardening a stress-free activity for little ones. In the long run, it can promote healthy eating, as children are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables they’ve grown themselves.
Let’s explore some of the easiest fruits and vegetables for kids to grow, followed by some fun ways to use them in simple, delicious recipes.
Easy gardening activities for kids
Growing fruit and veg can be exciting for children, especially when they get to pick their own fresh, sweet treats from the garden or see their vegetables be put into their dinner. Here are some easy fruits to grow with kids:
Fruits
Strawberries are a firm favourite among children; they’re juicy and sweet - what’s not to love? Our range of strawberry seeds grows well in pots, hanging baskets, or garden beds, and requires very little maintenance. Choose everbearing strawberry varieties, like Toscana Strawberries, for a longer harvest period.
Enjoy delicious raspberries grown from easy-to-maintain raspberry plants. Go for autumn-fruiting varieties, like the Autumn Treasure raspberries, which are lower maintenance and fruit in the first year.
Blueberries are a yummy and easy snack for little ones to have on the go. Our blueberry plants thrive in pots and can provide an abundance of berries year after year. For an exciting twist, plant some Pink Lemonade Blueberries - yes, pink blueberries exist! – they’re deliciously sweet. Use ericaceous compost for best results, as blueberries prefer acidic soil.
While many consider tomatoes vegetables, they are technically fruits. Sweet cherry tomatoes are a fantastic crop for kids to grow, as they ripen quickly and can be eaten straight from the plant. Grow them in pots or hanging baskets for easy access to ripe tomatoes.
Vegetables
Vegetables are some of the easiest plants for children to grow, and they add variety to their diet. Here are some simple options:
Not only are carrot seeds fun to grow and pull from the ground, but they are also an excellent choice for kids. For quicker harvesting, produce small, round carrot varieties like Paris Market.
Lettuce is fast-growing and provides a steady supply of fresh salad leaves. They’re a healthy and staple addition to any salad or sandwich. Opt for cut-and-come-again lettuce seed varieties like Little Gem lettuce to keep harvesting over time.
One of the quickest-growing vegetable seeds is radish seeds, which are perfect for impatient little gardeners. Sow seeds every few weeks for a continuous harvest. Add a pop of colour to any dish with Radish Bright Lights Seeds, which vary from red and white to purple and yellow.
Sweet and crunchy, peas are easy to grow and fun to pick straight from the pods. Provide support for climbing varieties, like Kelvedon Wonder or Climbing (French) Beans Sunshine with its lovely yellow colour, and encourage kids to snack on freshly picked peas.
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Children’s meal ideas
Once you've harvested your homegrown fruits and vegetables, it’s time to put them to good use! There are countless recipes and easy cooking activities for kids that you can do to get them involved in the kitchen as well as the garden. Cooking together is not only fun but also a great way to encourage kids to try new foods. Here are some children’s meal ideas that use freshly picked produce:
Mini Pizzas
Let kids create their own mini pizzas using fresh tomatoes, basil, and any other homegrown toppings. Use whole wheat pita, flatbreads or tortillas as a base, spread tomato sauce, sprinkle cheese, and top with fresh veggies before baking.
Rainbow salad wraps
Make a fun, colourful wrap using lettuce, carrots, radishes, and pea shoots. Lay out a tortilla, spread it with hummus or cream cheese, and let the children layer on their favourite homegrown veggies before rolling up.
Fruit yogurt parfaits
Yoghurt parfaits are simple and delicious. Layer Greek yoghurt, fresh berries, and granola in a cup for a healthy, kid-friendly snack. Make sure to use a transparent glass or bowl to see the pretty layers.
Veggie fritters
Grated courgettes and carrots make crispy veggie fritters. These are a lovely, healthy snack or can be added as a side to any meal. Mix grated vegetables with an egg, a little flour, and seasoning, then pan-fry until golden brown.
<h3>Fresh garden pea pasta</h3>
Sweet garden peas are a great addition to pasta dishes. Cook pasta and toss with olive oil, garlic, peas, and a sprinkle of cheese for a simple yet delicious meal.
<h2>Shop fruit and veg seeds at Fothergill’s/</h2>
Gardening and cooking with children is an excellent way to teach them about where food comes from, encourage healthy eating, and create lifelong memories. Take a look at our vegetable seeds and fruit plants and get started on growing your yummy garden.
Whether you’re growing strawberries for a summer dessert or harvesting carrots for a homemade snack, kids will love the journey from seed to plate.