Pansy Swiss Giant Ullswater Deep Blue

Large velvety pansies in a deep indigo-blue, 6 to 8cm across with the characteristic darker face markings, on neat mounds of 15 to 20cm. The Swiss Giant series is the benchmark for a big traditional garden pansy, and 'Ullswater' is the blue one, named for the lake.

Its real value is timing. It flowers when very little else does, either late spring from an autumn sowing or right through autumn and winter into spring from a spring sowing, and in a mild British winter it will keep going through January.

The seed needs total darkness to germinate, which catches people out constantly. Cover the tray with card or black plastic until the shoots appear, then bring it into the light, and keep it cool while germinating, because pansies dislike heat.

Two more things. It is a hungry plant, so work compost into the ground, unlike most of the cottage annuals that want it lean. And deadhead religiously: a pansy allowed to set seed decides it has finished and goes downhill fast.