Mr Fothergill's Alyssum Snow Cloth Seeds, Easy, for edging and containers. When the first flowers fade, trim back the plants to encourage further flushes of colour.

Sow outdoors where they are to flower, 0.5cm deep, directly into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days. Thin seedlings to 15cm apart. Water well until plants are established and keep weed free. Or sow indoors 0.5cm deep, in trays of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 10-15°C. is ideal. Keep moist. 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 hardy annual, flowers the same year as sown
• Plants become smothered in small fragrant blooms
• Easy to grow and long lasting, perfect groundcover

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