Invaluable summer bedding plants with dense showy spikes of sweet scented flowers. Justifiably popular for beds, borders, cut flowers and they also make magnificent plants for winter flowering in the cold greenhouse.

Sow from late winter to early summer 6mm (¼in) deep in a good seed compost, but do not exclude light, which is beneficial to germination. Germination usually takes 8-12 days at 15C (60F). They can also be sown outdoors in spring where they are to flower or mid summer for winter flowering under glass.

Transplant when large enough to handle into boxes. Grow on under cooler conditions. Later plant out 30cm (12in) apart into ordinary soil in sun or part shade.