Rich orange, serrated petals form a floral 'ruff' around a lime-green heart. Easy to grow, producing lots of flowers for the garden and making a lovely cut flower for indoors. Flowers summer. Height 45-60cm (18-24 in).

Sow outdoors where they are to flower when the ground becomes workable in March-May or late August-September, covering the seed to a depth of 12mm (½in).

Thin out the young plants to 30cm (12in) apart when large enough to handle. Prefers a well drained soil and full sun.

Seeds sown out of doors in the autumn for overwintering will flower in late spring/early summer. They can also be sown indoors and treated like hardy annuals.

The petals have been used as a substitute for saffron, can be made into soup, added to rice puddings, omelets, seafood chowders and they make a bright and zesty addition to tossed salads.