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Gill Bagshawe gets great satisfaction from growing her own cut flowers and would encourage anyone to have a go. All you need is a spare patch of earth and a few packets of seed, and you’re off! But if you’re not sure where to start, here are her top 10 recommendations:

Ammi majusÌý Like cow parsley, but flowers for longer (June - August) and lasts 7-10 days in a vase. Wonderful on its own or as a ‘filler’ for more blowsy subjects like roses. Requires staking.

Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Boy’Ìý Classic bright blue cornflower.

ConsolidaÌý More commonly known as larkspur, this dainty, annual form of delphinium is available in pink, mauve, dark blue and white. Staking and protection from slugs essential.

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’Ìý Masses of white flowers and feathery foliage from June to November. Will benefit from being staked.

Euphorbia oblongataÌý The perfect foil for lots of arrangements, thanks to its acid-green flowers. Best grown as a hardy annual, but Gill likes to leave hers in the ground over the winter so that she can combine it with tulips in April. Always wear gloves when handling as the white sap can irritate both your eyes and skin.

Lathyrus odoratusÌý Sweet peas are a must for any cut flower garden! Choose scented varieties and pick once a week to encourage more blooms.

Nigella ‘African Bride’ Very easy, producing white flowers with green and burgundy centres from July to September. The seed pods are exquisite too.

Nigella ‘Miss Jekyll’Ìý Classic cottage garden flower with sky-blue flowers.

Salvia viridis ‘Blue’Ìý Dead easy, with a long period of harvesting from May to September. Also lasts well in a vase.

Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Burgundy Beau’Ìý Sumptuous dark purple flowers with good long stems. Will need staking.

You may also be interested to know that Gill will be opening her garden for the National Garden Scheme in July and August. For further details of times and dates, check out the link below.

(www.ngs.org.uk)