A joy to behold! Wonderfully fragrant stocks, not just with the well known pink flowers, but now in a wealth of pastel colours. Sow thickly in a large container and place on the patio where you can enjoy the scent, or simply in drifts in the border. Flowers summer. Height 45cm (18in).

Sow in March outdoors where they are to flower. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing, but do not exclude light, which is beneficial to germination. Sow 6mm (¼in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart.

When large enough to handle thin out to 7.5cm (3in) apart.

They prefer a sunny open site but will grow in most sites and soils. Try mixing with Virginian Stock before sowing to provide a mixture of attractive flowers and fragrance.