A glorious start to summer

These exotic climbers like a sunny spot, says Ruth

- By Ruth Hayes

Don't be put off by the fact that this week’s free seeds bear flowers with a vague similarity to the dreaded bindweed. Morning glory is a far cry from that pernicious invader!

The exotic flowers open in the morning, as their name suggests, and fade at sundown, but there are so many blooms on each fast-growing plant that you can look forward to a summer-long feast of colour.

A half hardy annual, the seeds should be started undercover and you can help germination by soaking them in water overnight to soften their outer shells.