Viscaria occulata Patio Mixed Seeds

The Viscaria occulata of the 'Patio Mixed' selection are small, poetic annuals that are great for filling out the sunny areas of the garden. Just imagine hundreds of small, delicate flowers in a combination of different shades of white, pink, blue and red, forming a multicoloured ocean that ripples in the slightest breeze. Sow them directly in their final positions, in spring, in well-drained soil. They will bloom all summer in rock gardens and borders. They can also be planted in containers to decorate the terrace or balcony.

Viscaria occulata (synonyms Eudianthe coelirosa or Agrostemma coelirosa) is an annual plant of the family Caryophyllaceae and is related to carnations. It is found in France growing spontaneously in Mediterranean lawns, among grasses, particularly near the coastline of the departments Var and Bouches-du-Rhône. It is a great plant for full sun and  sandy or clay, calcareous, well-drained soils.

'Patio Mixed' brings together several forms of compact Viscaria occulata in a variety of colours. These plants display very fast growth, flowering usually occurs 3 months after sowing. In areas with mild winters, Viscaria occulata can be sown in late summer and bloom as early as spring, which occurs in its natural environment. The adult size of these plants when in bloom, will not exceed 30 cm in height and a width of 25 cm. Each one forms a small, upright clump whose slender stems are covered with thin, slightly greyish-green leaves. Flowering takes place from March-April to August, depending on the date of sowing, and is spread over a period of about 2 months. Numerous, small, single flowers bloom at the top of the stems, displaying 5 petals whose colour varies from one plant to the next: they are white, sky blue, soft pink or almost red. Most of them display a contrasting, darker centre. The flowers are followed by fruits containing many fine seeds that self-seed spontaneously in light soil.

Plant Viscaria oculata 'Patio Mixed' in an open space, in a border, a rock garden or in a lower-lying perennial bed among other plants. If the winter is mild in your area, you can also sow them at the end of the summer among the spring flowering bulbs, as English gardeners do: they will flower at the same time as hyacinths, daffodils and rush daffodils. They will also look wonderful on a well-drained slope, in the company of small ornamental grasses such as Stipa, or at the top of a dry stone wall. These plants can decorate the edges of large container displays or big tubs. Before planting in heavy or clay soil, dig in a few shovels of gravel and coarse sand to improve drainage. Viscaria goes very well with plants for dry soils, such as rock soapwort (Saponaria ocymioides), moss or tufted phlox (P. subulata and P. douglasii), Aubrieta, candytuft and sunroses.