Biennials for UK Gardens

Biennials complete their life cycle over two years. They are germinated in the first year and grown-on to flower and then set seed in the following year. Most biennials are sown around May/June time for flowering in April to July the next year. Many biennials are actually perennials, such as the wallflower (Erysimum), which will still grow in successive years but will quickly become leggy and untidy and not produce such a good show of flowers.

The following selection of biennials are suitable for domestic gardens in Great Britain (England/Scotland/Ireland).

hollyhock pink flowers

Alcea rosea
Hollyhock

Bellis perennis (daisy)

Bellis perennis
English Daisy

Cheiranthus (wallflowers)

Erysimum
Wallflower

sweet william flowers

Dianthus barbatus
Sweet William

Dianthus chinesis

Dianthus chinensis
Indian Pink

foxgloves pink flowers

Digitalis
Foxglove

Myosotis (forget-me-not)

Myosotis
Forget me not