Flowers: Spring to early Summer

Height: 30 inches

Position: Partial Shade

Hardiness Rating: 3 4 5 6 7 8

Germination: Experience Useful

Aftercare: Easy

Description: Exquisitely double pleated flowers of purple-blue and white, so beautiful that as they hang they resemble a ballerina's dress. Wonderfully formed, the pleats so precisely laid they transfix you when they appear during late spring. They produce a very high percentage true to description, the balance, as a bonus of exactly the same form, with sugar-pink and white flowers. Flowers summer. Hgt. 60-76cm (24-30in).

Sowing Instructions: Sow late winter to mid summer 6mm (žin) deep in a good seed compost. Make sure the compost is moist but not wet and seal inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 21-40 days at 18-24C (65-75F). To speed this up place in a fridge, after sealing in the polythene bag, and leave at 3-5C for 2-3 weeks, then place in warmth. Inspect regularly while in the fridge and remove immediately if they start to germinate.

Growing Instructions: Transplant when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Later plant out 30cm (12in) apart into moist but well drained soil in sun or part shade. Seed sown early will often flower the same season.

Caution: Harmful if eaten