GAZANIAS/ TREASURE FLOWER x 15 seeds

Gazanias, also known as treasure flowers for their jewel bright blooms, are fantastic for bringing colour to patios and sunny borders. They're either grown as annuals or as spreading, evergreen perennial plants. The daisy-type flowers love sunshine and if they don't get enough of it, will close up. The blooms come in shades of rose, red, pink, bronze, gold and orange and are set off by the cool green foliage.

Native to South Africa, gazanias love a hot, sunny position in the garden. Soil should be moderately fertile and well-drained. Gazanias will do well in coastal and gravel gardens and suit containers and hanging baskets.

Annual gazanaias can be sown from seed in late winter/early spring. Sow in in pots or trays of seed compost. They benefit from heat to germinate, so either place in a heated propagator or in a clear plastic bag on a warm windowsill. When your gazania seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant into pots and hard off outdoors on warmer days before planting out after the last frost.