Mr Fothergill's Mimulus Extra Choice Mix Seeds, Fast growing, unusual dwarf plants. Trim back plants after the first flush of flowers fades to encourage a further flowering.

Sow indoors, a warm kitchen windowsill is all you need for starting these seeds. Sow thinly on the surface of a small tray of pre-watered compost. Place in a warm, light position. A temperature of 15-20°C. is ideal. Keep the compost moist. The tray can be covered with clingfilm to preserve humidity, but remove when seedlings appear. Seedlings usually appear in 14-21 days. Transplant seedlings 5cm apart to other trays when large enough to handle. 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 perennial, best grown as half hardy annual
• Quick to flower, compact bedding and container plants
• ‘Exotic’ dappled blooms are happy in part sun or shade

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