Packet containing 70mg. Average contents 100 seeds.

Designing a garden with the focus on flowers is missing half the fun, this fiery colourful foliage will add dimension to any planting scheme. ‘Illumination’ is a stunning tricolour variety of Amaranthus, with upper leaves that are a spectacular scarlet and golden orange set atop olive green foliage.

This highly ornamental plant from Japan is easy and fast growing. It adds an explosion of colour to the garden and is utterly breathtaking in mass plantings and very useful as a temporary shrub. Ideal for the border but also thrives in containers on a sunny patio. Annuals are experiencing resurgence as today's gardeners demand a wider variety of options. No longer confined to monotone bedding plants, dozens of "unusual" annuals are now available in colours and forms far removed from the classic annual bed of pink petunias or red geraniums.

Sowing: Sow in late spring or early summer. Amaranthus seeds can be either sown early indoors or directly where they are to flower. They are susceptible to frost so be sure to sow only after the last chance of frost has past and the soil has warmed a little.

Indoors: Seeds may be started indoors at around 21°C (70°F) 6 to 8 weeks before it is safe to plant outside, Sow into pots or trays filled with finely sifted compost. Lightly cover seed with soil, and make sure the seedlings have plenty of light and protection from cold. Germination is 10-14 days. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in three to four weeks depending on pot size. Transplant to 7cm (3in) pots containing sieved compost. Amaranthus prefers high light levels after germination. Transplant outdoors in late May or early June into moist, well-drained soil, 30-45cm (12-18in) inches apart. They should receive sun half the day or more. Amaranth is difficult to transplant except when the seedlings are very small.

Sowing Direct: If sowing directly where they are to flower, prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth. If sowing more than one annual in the same bed, mark the sowing areas with a ring of sand and label. Ensure that any weeds are removed, especially during the early stages of growth. In cooler climates they will grow faster under a cloche or plastic tunnel. Sow in early summer when soil temperatures are above 21°C (70°F). Sow 1mm (¼ in) deep in rows 30cm (12”) apart. Thin out once they have reached 5cm (3in). The seedlings will appear in rows and can be easily told from nearby weed seedlings. Continue to thin the seedlings out so they are finally 30cm (12”) apart by early summer.

Aftercare: Pinch the centre to encourage side branching. Water regularly and fertilise with a water soluble balanced fertiliser. Leave a few plants to die down and self seed. Others can be pulled up and composted.

Plant Uses: Cottage/Informal Gardens or Flowers Borders and Beds. Container planting.

Edible Uses: The leaves of A. tricolour may be eaten as a salad vegetable. In Africa, it is usually cooked as a leafy vegetable. Some gardeners prune larger plants for their tender leaves and tips. Others prefer to time plantings 2 weeks apart and pull up the young tender plants to eat.

Nomenclature: The original spelling is amarant; the more common spelling amaranth seems to have come from a folk etymology assuming that the final syllable derives from the Greek word anthos ("flower"), common in botanical names. This plant is called A.gangeticus var. melancholicus in older books, referring to the time-honoured history of this plants medicinal uses in the treatment of choleric disorders