Top Flower Varieties to Grow in Your Devon Garden
Devon's got this lovely mild climate and absolutely gorgeous scenery, which makes it brilliant for growing all sorts of flowers. You might be after vivid splashes of colour or perhaps something more subtle with fragrant blooms to create a peaceful spot. Either way, loads of flowers absolutely love Devon's temperate conditions. Get the right ones for the climate and you'll have something beautiful to look at all year round.
If you're just getting started or fancy adding something new to your garden, growing from flower seed is honestly a great way to go. It doesn't cost the earth, and there's something really satisfying about watching your flowers grow from nothing. In this piece, I'll run through some of the best varieties that suit Devon's particular growing conditions. These flowers will bring colour, texture, and real beauty to your garden, season after season.
1. Daffodils
Bright yellow daffodils are one of the first proper signs that spring's arrived in Devon. They're such cheerful flowers, aren't they? The thing is, they're also really hardy and easy to grow, so they're perfect whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out. Happy in full sun or partial shade, they'll come back year after year once you've got them in. Often they'll multiply and spread about the garden too.
You'll want to plant daffodils in autumn if you want them blooming come spring. Just pop the bulbs in well-drained soil and they'll do their thing in early spring, giving you that lovely splash of yellow after the grey winter months. They work brilliantly in borders, containers, or you can even naturalise them in grass.
2. Lavender
Lavender does wonderfully in Devon's climate. Those fragrant purple blooms and silvery-green leaves make it a garden favourite. It loves sunshine and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil - which you'll find plenty of in the Devon countryside.
Beyond looking and smelling gorgeous, lavender's also fantastic for attracting bees and butterflies, so it's ideal if you want a wildlife-friendly garden. Spring's the best time to plant it, and it doesn't need much fussing over beyond the odd prune to keep it looking tidy. Plus, you can use it in cooking, make essential oil, or create lovely dried flower arrangements.
3. Geraniums
Geraniums give you vibrant flowers that last ages, making them perfect for pots or garden beds alike. They like sunny spots and need well-drained soil to really flourish. Devon's mild summer temperatures suit them down to the ground, so they'll thrive from spring right through to autumn.
You can get geraniums in all sorts of colours - rich reds and pinks, soft purples, whites - so they work with pretty much any garden style. They're fairly low-maintenance too. Just water them regularly and deadhead occasionally to keep them looking their best. Perfect for brightening up patios, window boxes, or flower beds.
4. Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are adored for their delightful scent and colourful blooms. These climbing plants are wonderful for adding height to your garden, whether you grow them up trellises, fences, or in containers. They come in everything from soft pastels to deep, rich shades, making them ideal if you're going for that romantic, cottage-garden look.
Best grown from seed, sweet peas do like sunny, well-drained spots, but they need a bit more attention than some flowers. Regular watering and feeding will give you loads of blooms, and you'll want to remove faded flowers to keep them flowering continuously. They need something to climb up too, so make sure you've got a sturdy trellis or support sorted before planting.
5. Poppies
Poppies make a real statement in any Devon garden with their delicate, paper-like petals and vibrant colours. These hardy flowers love the county's soils and thrive in full sun. You'll often see them flourishing in fields and wildflower meadows.
They come in all sorts of colours - the classic red, obviously, but also purple, pink, and white. Lovely in borders, but they also work brilliantly in more natural settings where they can self-seed and come back each year. Poppies don't need much looking after, though you do want well-drained soil and should avoid overwatering, as that can cause root rot. They don't last terribly long, but those dramatic, showy blooms more than make up for it.
6. Roses
Roses are probably one of the most iconic garden flowers, and they do exceptionally well in Devon thanks to the temperate climate. There are so many colours, shapes, and sizes to choose from - something for every garden style really. Climbing roses, shrub roses, hybrid tea roses - you'll definitely find a variety that suits your space.
Roses like full sun and prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil. They do need a bit of maintenance - regular pruning and feeding - but the reward's absolutely worth the effort. Those elegant blooms and gorgeous scent will make your garden the envy of everyone who visits.
7. Cosmos
If you want a low-maintenance flower that brings colour all summer long, cosmos are fantastic. These daisy-like flowers have a lovely natural, wildflower feel about them and do particularly well in Devon's climate. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they're incredibly easy to grow from seed.
Once they're in, cosmos will bloom from late spring right through to the first frosts, producing delicate flowers in pinks, whites, and purples. They're excellent for attracting pollinators and make beautiful cut flowers for indoors. Cosmos add a real touch of lightness and airiness to gardens, which is why cottage garden enthusiasts love them.
8. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are visually striking and ridiculously easy to grow. They're perfect for creating a bold focal point, whether planted at the back of flower beds or in a row to make a sun-kissed border. They need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive, and they can grow impressively tall, adding real drama to your garden.
Sunflowers can handle various soil conditions, though they do prefer slightly acidic or neutral soil. These cheerful flowers are brilliant if you've got children - they grow quickly and give you plenty of chances to teach little ones about nature. They also make great cut flowers, and you can leave them to seed to attract birds.
These are just a few of the many flower varieties that'll thrive in your Devon garden. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to expand what you've already got, there's something here for every gardener. Choose the right flowers and you can enjoy a garden that bursts with colour and life throughout the year. So grab your gardening gloves, pick out your favourite blooms, and get ready to sow, grow, and enjoy the beauty of nature right at your doorstep.
