One packet each of: Milkmaid and Black Velvet. For a full description and sowing & growing instructions please refer to each plant's individual listing.
Culinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible. For more details about edible flowers click here.
Sow outdoors where they are to flower. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing. Sow 20mm (¾in) deep, in rows 30cm (12in) apart.
For earlier flowering: Sow seed, 1cm (½in) deep, 3 seeds per 7.5cm (3in) pot, in free-draining, damp seed compost. Place at 20-29C (68-86F) until after germination. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out after risk of frost. Before planting into containers, ensure plants are well rooted in their pots.
Thin out young plants to 30-45cm (12-18in) apart when the seedlings are large enough to handle. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out after all risk of frost. They flower most freely in full sun and poor dryish soils. Before planting in containers make sure they are well rooted in their pots.
They flower most freely in full sun and poor dryish soils. Before planting in containers make sure they are well rooted in their pots.
The leaves taste like watercress, the flowers add a spicy touch to salads and the green seeds can be chopped and used with parsley as a garnish or made into a substitute for capers.