Thompson & Morgan Kew 'Hemp Agrimony' seeds

Grown in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this majestic hardy perennial is a natural choice for damp borders, waterside plantings and boggy corners of the garden. Sturdy, dull-red stems rise to a striking height, clothed in palmate, hemp-like foliage before opening into broad panicles of dusky pink flowers in late summer. The effect is bold and architectural, particularly at the back of a border or beside a pond, and the nectar-rich blooms are a real magnet for bees, butterflies and a wide range of other pollinating insects right through into autumn.

Sow from spring onwards, covering the seed lightly as it benefits from some darkness to germinate, and keep the compost consistently moist; germination can take a few weeks. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, pot on and grow away until sturdy before planting out after the last frosts. Choose a spot in full sun or light shade with reliably moist to wet soil, as this is where Hemp Agrimony performs best. Once established, plants form handsome, spreading clumps and need little maintenance beyond an occasional cut back after flowering.

Hand-picked by us for its architectural presence and outstanding value to pollinators, this is a superb choice for wildlife gardens, pond margins, and damp borders that need a late-season lift.