Brilliant, pure sky blue flowers blending magnificently ,with herbaceous and low growing shrubs and conifers or contrast with yellow, silver and white. Medium- large flowers in great profusion from spring to late summer and autumn.

Sow February to April for summer flowering, June to August for flowering the following spring. Sow 1.5mm (1/16in) deep in a good seed compost, excluding light as darkness is beneficial. Germination takes 14-21 days at 15-18C (60-65F). Keep the soil moist and avoid high temperatures which will prevent germination.

When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into boxes or 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow cool. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out, after all risk of frost, 23-30cm (9-12in) apart in most soils, sun or part shade.

Summer sowings should be moved to a cold frame and planted out in early spring.