Hardy heirloom variety producing large semi-double or double flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white from June/July.
Edible perennial, usually grown as an annual. Hardy to zone 6. Succeeds in most soils. Poor soils should be enriched with organic matter. Prefers a heavy rich soil and a sheltered sunny position.
Sow April/May or August/September in pots or in situ. Easily grown from seed, which usually germinates in about 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c Will flower in 16 weeks.
Height to 180cm. Spread 50cm.
Sow 6mm deep indoors, setting plants out at 45-60cm apart, after last frosts.
Stake plants in exposed sites.
The flowers are an alternative ingredient of 'Quick Return' herbal compost activator. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost.
The seed contains 12% of a drying oil.
Edible uses