3 annuals to grow now

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Xanthos’

There are plenty of white-flowered cosmos to sow now, from shorter ‘Sonata White’ to taller ‘Purity’, but try ‘Xanthos’ for soft-lemon blooms over fern-like foliage on compact plants great for containers. H and S: 2ft (60cm).

Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis

The blooms of the night-scented stock are admittedly somewhat puny, but the payoff is a strong, sweet night fragrance. Sow seed now direct into drills in a sunny, sheltered spot or into modules for planting out. HxS: 12x9in (30x23cm).

Nicotiana alata

Many tobaccos are described as fragrant, but none beats the jasmine tobacco whose white flowers look nothing by day, yet flare open to pump their perfume by night. Sow now under cover. HxS: 3-4ftx18in (1-1.2mx45cm).