Flowers: Late Summer to Autumn

Height: 6 feet

Position: Sun or Partial Shade

Hardiness Rating: 3 4 5 6 7

Germination: Experience Useful

Aftercare: Easy

Description: An imposing long flowering, long lived perennial with pyramids of beautiful 2in flowers. A excellent border plant easily grown from seed. Rich blue flower spikes add a unique colour to the garden, held aloft delphinium-like foliage. Spikes also last as a cut flower.

Sowing Instructions: Sow from early spring to mid summer Germinate at 15-20C (60-68F) on the surface of a good free-draining, damp seed compost. Apply a fine sprinking of compost or vermiculite so that the seed is just covered. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag. If no germination has taken place after 6 weeks, place container in the refrigerator for 3-6 weeks, or until seeds begin to germinate.

Growing Instructions: Return to 15-20C (60-68F) until seedlings are large enough to transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow on in a cold frame. Plant outdoors the following spring 60cm (24in) apart.

Aftercare Instructions: Cut back old flowering stems which often encourages a further flush of flowers.