Mr Fothergill's Ageratum Blue Mink Seeds, Dwarf, for bedding and patio pots. To encourage a bushy habit and more flowers, pinch out the central growing tips when plants are 10cm high.

Sow indoors a warm kitchen windowsill is all you need for starting these seeds. Sow 0.5cm deep, in trays of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 20-25°C. is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 10-21 days. Transplant seedlings 5cm apart to other trays when large enough to handle. (Always handle by a leaf, never by the stem.) Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 15cm apart, when frosts are over.

• A half hardy annual, flowers the same year as sown
• Versatile, dwarf plants with soft, fluffy flowers
• Great for borders, summer bedding and containers

Sow time: Feb-Apr
Flowering/Harvesting time: Jun-Oct