Beautiful double rose-like blooms sometimes as much as 3in across are produced in good numbers on each plant. There are bicolours of blue and white, pink and white, wine red, pink, blue, pure white, cream and rose shades. The wiry stems hold the blooms in good floral condition for an amazing length of time so that a vase of these flowers needs changing less than any other cut flowers and there is rarely petal or leaf drop. Flowers summer. Height 45-60cm (18-24in).

Sow in late winter/early spring (January-February) in a good free draining seed compost. Just cover the seed with compost, seal seed container inside a polythene bag after sowing and don't exclude light. Germination takes 10-30 days at 20-25C (70-75P).

Transplant the seedlings carefully into 7.5cm (3in) pots as soon as you can. They don't like root disturbance and may show a little sign of growth at first.

Don't overwater and grow on in good light. In spring, gradually harden off and plant out, 23cm (9in) apart, when alt risk of frost has gone, into a sheltered, sunny spot in well drained soil. As plants grow pinch out growing points once or twice and provide twiggy sticks for support.