Easy to grow plants, forming compact globes of clear sky-blue flowers. Superb for bedding and edging. Flowers summer. Height 10cm (4in).

Sow late winter to mid spring at 18-24C (65-75F) in a good seed compost. Sow seeds on surface of compost and gently firm down. Keep soil damp but not wet. Do not exclude light, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful. Germination usually takes 14-21 days.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant in bunches of 3 or 4 and grow on in cooler conditions. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 10cm (4in) apart in a sunny spot in light moist soil. For pot plants, transplant the seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots, grow cool, well ventilated and give plenty of light, but shade from direct sun.

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