Sow your blue beauties

■ Echium ‘blue Bedder’ will do best in a sunny site with fertile, well-drained soil.

■ Clear the sowing area of weeds, stones and any large bits of debris that may hinder germination. Create a fine tilth by raking the soil first in one way and then at 90° the other, and water it well.

Sow the seeds thinly, then rake a thin layer of soil over them and firm gently with the back of the rake

Label the area and protect it from pests with twigs or a chemical deterrent such as Bayer Cat-a-Pult.