Description
It blooms from March to April in rich, purples, pinks and starry bi-coloured combinations with white. It’s a vital nectar plant and therefore popular with butterflies, very easy to grow, normally self-seeding itself in sunny or shady positions. Over a long season it produces masses of silvery pods.
Sow thinly outdoors in late spring-early summer in drills 3mm (1/8in) deep. 30cm (12in) apart. Keep the soil damp until germination takes place and if the seedlings become crowded, thin out to 15cm (6in) apart.
In autumn transplant to their flowering site 3cm (12in) apart. Cut the stems bearing seed pods the following early autumn and hang in bunches upside down in a cool airy room to dry.
Gently remove the outer seed casing before using them for floral decoration.