Mr Fothergill's Lupin Russell Mix Seeds, Majestic in early summer borders. The seeds will benefit from being soaked in tepid water overnight prior to sowing.

Sow indoors for surest results, 1.5cm deep, in a tray of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse or on a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 21-28 days. Transplant individually when large enough to handle to small pots. (Always hold seedlings by a leaf, never by the stem.) Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions before planting out 60cm apart. Or sow outdoors thinly in a seed bed, into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 5cm apart before planting out to flowering position in autumn.

• A hardy perennial, flowers the year after sowing
• Impressive early summer colour year after year
• Superb in groups or dotted through a border

Sow time: Mar-Jul
Flowering/Harvesting time: May-Jul