Guide to growing garden plants - Heliophila Sun Lovers

The Heliophila genus contains hardy annuals and half hardy annuals that reach from 30cm to 90cm in height.

They flower from the end of spring through to the beginning of autumn. Heliophila can carry flowers of pink, blue, white or yellow; there are many varieties that have two coloured flowers.

Some common names for Heliophila include Cape Stock and Sun Lovers.

How to grow Sun Lovers (Heliophila)

It is best to just cover the seeds of Heliophila once sown. they should be plant from the beginning of spring (before the last frost) and sowing continues for a few weeks to supply successive blooms. Sun lovers should be grown in a sunny part of the garden that has good drainage, the soil type is not too important.

If you first plan to grow Sun lovers indoors as seedlings, then they should be started about 8 weeks before planning to put outside. It takes from two to three weeks to germinate at a temperature of 18 degrees centigrade. The plants should be put out following the last frost of the spring; you may like to make successive plantings to maintain a continuous bloom.

Caring for Sunlovers and other Heliophila

Once you have seedlings they should be spaced at between 15 and 90cm depending upon the size of the variety; the bigger varieties may require some support.