Long gone are the days when Sunflowers were grown by children! T&M bring together five distinctive varieties for garden performance and especially to use as cut flowers. PASTICHE offers pastel shades of yellows, reds, creams etc; VELVET QUEEN with rich red flowers; TAIYO of medium height and fresh yellow petals surrounding a chocolate centre; ITALIAN WHITE with smaller, creamy-white blooms; and PRADO YELLOW, multiflowered of mid height and virtually pollen-free flowers.

PACKET CONTENTS:One foil each of: Pastiche, Velvet Queen, Taiyo, Italian White and Prado Yellow.

Sow indoors in February/March individually 12mm (½in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots of good seed compost. Germination takes 1-2 weeks at 20C (70F).

They can also be sown outdoors, in moist well raked soil, where they are to flower in March/April when the soil has warmed. Sow the seeds 15cm (6in) apart, 12mm (½in) deep, in rows 12in (30cm) apart. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings are growing well. When large enough to handle, thin out the seedlings to 12in (30cm) apart.

Grow cool and well lit. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out 30cm (12in) apart after all risk of frost has gone.

They prefer a sunny open site but will grow in most soils.