One of the most famous summer annual bedding plants, long flowering, early flowering, compact and neat. It is a frost tender annual. Ideal for bedding and edging. Other excellent sites are windowboxes and tubs. Flowers summer. Height 30cm (12in).

Sow from late winter to mid spring. For best results surface sow on a free draining compost. Enclose in a polythene bag and leave in a shady spot for 24-48 hours then cover the seed lightly with compost. Germination usually takes place in 10-14 days at 21-24C (70-75F).

When the seedlings are large enough to handle transplant, handling the seeds with care, into 8cm (3in) pots and grow on at 16C (60F), taking care not to overwater. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out 30cm (12in) apart in a warm, sunny, well drained spot.