Viscaria oculata Blue Angel - seeds

Viscaria oculata 'Blue Angel' is a charming small annual plant that produces hundreds of small delicate flowers in shades of blue. The whole forms a blue cloud that waves in the slightest breeze. Sow the seeds directly in place in the spring in well-drained soil and they will flower all summer in rockeries and borders. They also thrive in containers on the terrace or balcony.

Viscaria oculata (synonyms Eudianthe coeli-rosa or Agrostemma coeli-rosa) is an annual plant in the Caryophyllaceae family, related to carnations. It is found growing spontaneously in Mediterranean meadows, among grasses, especially near the coast. It prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy or clayey, but chalky soils.

'Blue Angel' is a blue selection of Viscaria oculata. The plants grow very quickly, usually taking 3 months from sowing to flowering. In regions with mild winters, Viscaria oculata can be sown in late summer to flower in spring, which is the same as in its natural environment. The mature size of these plants will not exceed 30-40 cm (12-16in) high for the flowers, with a spread of 25 cm (10in). Each forms a small, upright clump with thin stems adorned with small, slightly greyish-green leaves. Flowering occurs from March-April to August, depending on the sowing date, and lasts for about 2 months. At the top of the stems, numerous small single flowers with 5 petals open, ranging in colour from quite deep blue to pale blue with a contrasting, very dark centre. The flowers are followed by seed heads containing numerous fine seeds that can self-sow in light soil.

Plant Viscaria oculata 'Blue Angel' in an open location, in a border, rockery, or among lower-growing perennial plants. If winters are mild in your region, you can also sow them in late summer among spring bulbs and they will flower at the same time as hyacinths and daffodils. They will also be splendid on the slope of a well-drained bank, with small grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia, or at the top of a dry stone wall. These plants can fill the edges of large flower pots or containers. Before planting, in heavy or clayey soils, add a few shovelfuls of gravel and coarse sand to help drainage. Viscaria pairs well with dry land plants such as Montpellier soapwort (Saponaria ocymioides), creeping phlox (P.subulata and P.douglasii), aubrieta, candytuft, and oregano.