Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Wallflower Fire King
Wallflower Fire King
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Wallflower 'Fire King' Seeds
When the spring sun finally breaks through, 'Fire King' lights up the border like burning embers. This heritage variety produces dense, velvety spikes of brilliant scarlet-orange flowers that seem to glow from within. It is the colour of a blood orange or a setting sun.
But the colour is only half the story. 'Fire King' possesses that legendary Wallflower scent—a rich, heady perfume of honey, clove, and spice that hangs in the air on a still spring day. Plant it near a path or doorway where you can enjoy the fragrance every time you pass.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Wallflowers are classic Biennials.
They follow a two-year cycle: sow in summer of Year 1, they grow leaves through autumn/winter, and flower in spring of Year 2.
The Routine: Sow seeds in May/June/July. They grow into small bushy plants by autumn. You transplant them to their final flowering position in October (planting them firmly to withstand winter wind). They bloom spectacularly the following March/April/May.
Top Tip: Pinch out the growing tip when the plants are 15cm tall. This stops them getting leggy and forces them to bush out, giving you more flower spikes.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Wallflowers are easy to raise in a "nursery bed" or pots outdoors.
Germination:
Sow outdoors from May to July. Scatter seeds thinly into a prepared seedbed or pots outdoors. Cover lightly (5mm deep). Keep moist. Germination is reliable and takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They demand full sun. They love well-drained, alkaline soil (they dislike acid soil). Adding some garden lime or grit to the planting hole can help them thrive.
Care While Growing:
The Autumn Move: In October, move your plants to their final positions (borders or containers). Plant them firmly—press the soil down hard around the roots so they don't rock in winter gales.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Erysimum cheiri |
| Common Name | Wallflower 'Fire King' |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy Biennial) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 35cm - 45cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | 🔥 Hot Colour Schemes 👃 Scented Gardens 🐝 Early Bees 🌷 Tulip Displays |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The fiery orange of 'Fire King' looks incredible with dark purples or vibrant yellows:
- 🌷 Tulip 'Queen of Night': The Drama. The deep, almost-black purple of 'Queen of Night' tulips provides a stunning, moody contrast to the hot orange of the Wallflower. A designer favourite.
- 🌼 Wallflower 'Cloth of Gold': The Citrus Mix. Plant 'Fire King' and 'Cloth of Gold' together for a vibrant, warming display of yellow and orange that smells like a spice market.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in summer. Plant out in autumn. Flowers the following spring.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers (Yr 2) | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Wallflowers are vital for early spring pollinators. They are listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list and provide a crucial nectar source for waking bumblebees.
