Flowers for allotment

[FlowerpotGirl]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I wasn't sure if to post in Allotments or flowers.....

Is there a rule of thumb with regards to what flowers to grow on an Allotment? I want a smallish flower bed to attract bees and pollinators but not sure if I should stick with foody flowers and herbs. I've planted a lavender and a standard fuchsia but wondering if there is an allotment acceptable list or if anything goes?

I really want a Philadelphus Virginal Mock Orange, which I could grow in a large pot at home, but wondered if it was allotment friendly? I love the smell of them and it could help mask the neighbours stagnant pond smells.....

[happyhumph]

Think it all depends if your allotment has any rules over what you're allowed to grow - otherwise just what you like. Man at an allotment near my parents uses almost the whole thing to grow dahlias for show.

[Martin H]

Our site is pretty relaxed too: anything temporary is fine. Although if I decided to plant a big magnolia tree or something the committee would probably have words.

I grow Chrysanths and Sweet Peas, plus a bed or two of mixed flowers for cutting. So my plot is about 80% fruit and veg, 20% flowers.

Some sites are more strict. It will tell you what the official rules are in the piece of paper you signed when you took the plot over. If it doesn't say you can't, then you can.

[FlowerpotGirl]

Thanks everyone. All the t&c's say are that I can't plant anything illegal or anything that takes longer than 12 months to mature

There are lots of fruit trees on the site though and we don't have a site rep at the moment. My plot neighbour has had his plot 10 years and can't remember the last time the place was checked. Not saying that give me the right to go crazy but it is a very relaxed site

[sparrow100]

Some sites are more strict. It will tell you what the official rules are in the piece of paper you signed when you took the plot over. If it doesn't say you can't, then you can.

I'd go on that basis too. Our site has rules about tree height, but nothing about any flower/veg ratio. The plots on our site with more flowers look absolutely stunning - and I'm belatedly developing an interest!

I grow sweet peas, marigolds, nasturtiums, poppies, borage, cerinthe, cosmos and cornflowers every year, but now I'd like more and more cottage garden plants. And roses. And dahlias. And primulas. Oh dear....

[FlowerpotGirl]

I grow sweet peas, marigolds, nasturtiums, poppies, borage, cerinthe, cosmos and cornflowers every year, but now I'd like more and more cottage garden plants. And roses. And dahlias. And primulas. Oh dear....

haha it does sound like you've caught the bug I have Calendula (English Marigold) that I want to plant there but it spreads like crazy so I'd have to be careful with the seeds. All the flowers you mention sound amazing!

I love the flowering herbs too like Thyme and Camomile. I have Apple mint at home and might take a cutting for the Lottie. I'd keep it in its pot though as though it doesn't spread like mint does it still takes over a bit. I like the idea of companion planting and think a few tasty flowers might take the slugs away from the edibles a bit more

[Martin H]

I have added to my plot neighbours' weed problems slightly, by planting calendula and myosotis and letting them seed. But nobody's complained yet.

[maverick451]

I have my name down on one site and the T&C's say only 10% for flowers, i think it differs

[Gillykat]

My site is pretty laid back as long as you don't grow any trees over 8ft or cause any hassle to other tenants. I've got loads of flowers on my plot - nasturtiums, sweet peas, sunflowers, poached egg plant, calendula, hollyhocks, dahlias, lupins......basically just anything cottage-gardenish As far as I know there aren't any strict rules about only growing vegetables but I'll have a read through the paperwork tomorrow.

To be honest I cannot see the problem of growing flowers because I live in an upstairs flat so my allotment is my garden and when I look at some of the shanty town get-ups of some of the guys who have pigeons and the ones who have ducks and geese have something resembling the Somme so surely a few beds of flowers cannot cause any complaints As far as I'm concerned if anyone DOES complain they can go and boil their head! There's a few overgrown and empty plots here so it's not as though folk are queueing up for years to take over a plot! I'm not harming anyone whilst I quietly potter about and I get SO much enjoyment and relaxation from growing stuff. I do have a few veggies on the plot - beans, squashes, tomatoes & potatoes - but my first love is flowers and as I hope to have a puppy in 2017 I think about 90% of the plot will be turned over to flowers which are a lot less maintenance than veg!