☀️ Light & Location

• Sunlight: Requires full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily) for optimal flowering.

• Location: Ideal for borders, wildflower gardens, and containers. Performs well in poor or sandy soils.

🌱 Soil & Watering

• Soil Type: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates sandy, rocky, or even clay soils.

• pH Range: Neutral to slightly acidic (around 6.0–7.0).

• Watering: Moderate; water when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering, especially in containers.

🌿 Planting Instructions

• From Seed:

  • Indoors: Start seeds in late winter, 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

  • Outdoors: Direct sow in mid-spring after the danger of frost has passed.

• Seed Depth: Sow seeds lightly covered with soil; they need some light to germinate.

• Germination Time: Typically 10–20 days at 18–22°C (65–72°F).

• Transplanting: Move seedlings outdoors after the last frost when they are strong enough to handle.

🪴 Container Growing

• Use a pot with drainage holes.

• Fill with well-draining potting mix (a mix with perlite or sand works well).

• Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, and ensure excess water drains freely.

✂️ Maintenance

• Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.

• Pruning: Light pruning after the first bloom flush can promote a second round of flowers.

• Fertilizing: Not usually necessary; too much fertilizer can reduce flowering.

🐝 Wildlife & Benefits

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

• Deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established.