Beautiful moisture loving plants thriving in sun or part shade. Ideal for summer borders, hanging baskets, patio tubs etc. Flowering in 7-9 weeks from sowing, with I-1½in blooms of bright scarlet, orange or yellow with most contrastingly speckled. A perennial in sheltered locations but usually treated as a HHA. Flowers summer. Height 13-35cm (5-14in). Sowing Instructions. Sow late winter to mid spring at 20-24C (70-75F) on the surface of a good seed compost and gently firm down. Keep soil damp but not wet. Do not exclude light, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful. Germination usually takes 14-21 days. Growing Instructions. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions. Do not feed as this will make for lush growth and fewer flowers. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out, after all risk of frost, 20-25cm (8-10in) apart in sun or part shade on ordinary moist, yet well drained soil. For pot plants, transplant the seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots, grow cool, well ventilated and give plenty of light, but shade from direct sun. Aftercare Instructions. After flowering shear the plants back lightly to encourage a second flush of bloom. Flowering Period. Summer | 
