A favourite hardy annual, very colourful and easiness itself to grow as it thrives in any ordinary garden soil. Beautiful for the border or cutting and producing a profusion of sweetly scented hyacinth shaped blooms throughout the summer. Flowers summer. Height 30-38cm (12-15in).

Sow from spring to early summer outdoors where they are to flower. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing. Sow 3mm (1/8in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart. Germination usually takes approximately 21 days. Seed can also be sown outdoors in early autumn for overwintering and earlier flowering.

When large enough to handle thin out to 15cm (6in) apart.

They prefer a sunny open site and well drained soil, but will grow in most sites and soils where winters are not severe. Cut off the faded blooms to prevent seeding and you will often be rewarded with a second crop of flowers.