The famous meadow and hedge row plant of simple beauty. Fragrant lemon yellow pendulous blooms. Easy to grow in sun or part shade. Flowers spring. Height 23cm (9in).

Contact with the leaves may cause skin allergy to some people with sensitive skins.

Sow late winter onwards in good seed compost. Sow seed on surface of compost and gently firm. Seal in a polythene bag or cover with a piece of glass and place in a shady spot but do not exclude light which is beneficial for germination. Keep the soil damp but not wet. Germination usually takes 10-15 days at 15-18°C (60-65°F), higher temperatures can prevent germination.

Transplant when large enough to handle in 7.5cm (3in) pots. Grow cool and fairly moist and later plant out 23cm (9in) apart in good soil, sun or part shade.

GERMINATION SKILL GUIDE: Some experience useful.

Popular as a garnish on salads, remove the stalks so they sit open faced on top of lettuce, cress etc. Crystallize or use in pancakes or cakes. Write to us for a free leaflet with recipes for a wide range of edible flowers.

May cause skin irritation