Add almost instant impact to your summer bedding schemes, with eye to catching colour. This statuesque annual makes the perfect dot plant for borders, or why not be brave and plant it en masse for explosive results!

Sow February to April. Place seed on the surface of good free draining, seed compost. Do not cover the seed. Place at 20 to 25C (68 to 77F) until after germination which usually takes 3 to 15 days. During germination, allow the temperature to reduce at night. This will occur naturally if using a heated propagator is avoided. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination. Can also be sown direct outdoors where they are to flower. Sow 1.5mm (1/16 inch) deep, in rows 30cm (12 inches) apart.

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into trays or 7.5cm (3 inch) pots. Grow on in cooler conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12 inches) apart.

Will grow in any well to drained soil in full sun.