Flower of Bristol plants can grow tall, giving them a tendency to droop over during the height of the growing season. To avoid drooping, provide support with stakes or surround the perennial with low-lying plants like peonies. These plants are disease- and pest-resistant and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
Light
For the best show, grow the flower of Bristol plant in full sun. The sunnier the spot, the more flowers your plant will produce and the bushier it will become. Flower of Bristol planted in a shady area will grow leggy and long.
Soil
Good soil drainage is required to grow the flower of Bristol successfully. This plant can tolerate mildly acidic or alkaline soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. If your growing area is compacted, add compost mixed with peat to amend the soil and allow for proper drainage.
Water
The flower of Bristol grows best in evenly moist soil. It requires more frequent watering during summer droughts and when propagating from seed, as the seeds need to be consistently wet to sprout.
Temperature and Humidity
Flower of Bristol favors conditions similar to those found in the Mediterranean. Mild winters and hot and somewhat humid days allow this plant to thrive best. Flower of Bristol can survive temperatures above 90 F. However, to maintain health, frequent watering during hot spells is advised.
Fertilizer
The flower of Bristol is not a heavy feeder, but like most plants, it performs best in fertile soil, as opposed to nutritionally deficient soil. An occasional feeding of compost should be sufficient for maintaining plant health.
Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers mid-summer to promote continuous blooms or forego this process and allow the plants to reseed themselves and spread. As part of your annual maintenance, cut the old stems down to the ground in the spring to allow for new growth.
Propagating Flower of Bristol
Flower of Bristol plants are grown from seeds. You can also transplant a flower of Bristol plant purchased from a garden center or nursery in the spring.
How to Grow Flower of Bristol From Seed
When starting flower of Bristol from seed, sow them directly into the ground or start them indoors in containers. Sow seeds directly into your garden in late spring, covering them with 1/8 inch of fine loam. Seeds germinate in two to three weeks. In indoor containers, plant seeds in pots filled with sterile potting soil six to eight weeks before your region’s final frost. Place the pots in a sunny window and keep them evenly moist. Once seedlings sprout, transplant them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. They do not make good container plants; they are best grown in the ground.
Overwintering
This perennial plant is hardy to zone 4 and can handle the winters without any extra care. Prune dead flowers and leaves in late fall to help them grow back nicely in the spring.
