This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil:fertile, neutral to alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This attractive perennial is often found in hedges or woodland edges. Its bristly, nettle-like leaves form a basal clump, from which stout upright stems appear from midsummer to early autumn, bearing gorgeous lavender blue bells. In the garden, it looks wonderful when incorporated into naturalised planting schemes.
  
  
• Garden care: Start off under glass or in a cold frame by surface-sowing seeds into trays of good seed compost and maintain temperatures at around 18-20C. When large enough to handle, thin out and grow on in individual pots and gradually harden them off before planting outside after the
  
  
• Sow: January to April
  
  
• Approximate quantity: 150