Flower market wholesaler Gardening 4u is reporting “record-breaking” sales of its herbaceous stock this summer.

Owner Will Hogger says that British Grown Herefordshire Delphiniums have been particularly popular on the firm’s stand throughout the last two months. “We have sold nearly 150 delphiniums, which is a significant increase from last year,” Will said. “As our business makes the move to being totally London-based, we are expanding our array of plants from our partner nursery.”

Gardening 4u offers a variety of delphinium plants, including new varieties like the compact Pixie Rocket series, which is known for its compact sizes and self-supporting nature. The series includes Rose Rocket and Neptune Rocket and features a wide range of colours and sizes, with a focus on robust stems and prolific blooming. The Highlander series, including the Moonlight variety, is known for its robust stems and long-lasting blooms, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. And the Delgenius series features semi-double flowers and a compact growth habit, making them suitable for borders and containers.

Gardening 4u offers a range of delphinium colours, including white, blue, and purple, and some varieties reach impressive heights of up to 150cm. The firm also highlights the importance of well-drained soil and full sun for optimal growth, as well as the benefits of deadheading and mulching.

“I believe it is the height, quality, and breadth of varieties and colours that attracts visitors over to the stand – the plants are perfect for our Garden Designers, Landscapers and Florists,” said Will.

Delphiniums are coming to an end this month, and Gardening 4u will move to 30 varieties of Echinacea, in a festival of colours from Will’s nursery. The range includes the multicoloured Sunseekers Series, the Moods Series, which notably includes Devotion and Courage, and plenty more varieties such as Delicious Candy, Carrot Cake, Butterfly Kisses, and Sensation Pink.

Echinacea attracts pollinators, has a long blooming period, is an excellent addition to floral arrangements and importantly is hardy and low maintenance, Will advised. “Echinacea thrives in full sun, deadhead regularly to encourage new blooms and feed with a liquid plant feed high in nitrogen and potassium to promote lots of new blooms. I recommend liquid seaweed,” he said.