Mr Fothergills Cerinthe Major Purpurascens

Exotic-looking, but easy to grow from seed. This attractive Cerinthe is probably quite unlike any other flower you may have in your garden, with its glaucous foliage, deep blue bracts and rich purple-blue flowers, which are high in nectar and therefore very attractive to bees. Very easy to grow from seed and a stunning plant. Despite its unusual and rather exotic appearance, it is actually easy to grow. Cerinthe is a hardy annual, which flowers the same year as sowing. It is undemanding and will thrive in most soils in full sun. The name Cerinthe is from the Greek keros (wax) and anthos (flower), as bees were thought to extract wax from the flowers.

Sow indoors, February-April. A warm kitchen windowsill is all you need for starting these seeds. Sow individually, 0.5cm (¼”" deep, in pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F) is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days. Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out in May, 30cm (1') apart, into well-drained soil, when frosts are over. Flowers: May-October.