Purple Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla) is a very decorative and easily cultivated annual plant. Innocence, as it is also called, develops bushy habit of shoots that may slightly bend over and are covered with decussate, dented leaves. It forms compact tufts that grow up to 30 cm tall. Flowers develop in verticils atop the stems. Bicolour, white-purple blooms adorn the plants for a long time, as the blooming period of purple Chinese houses lasts from June until August. This species is perfect for flower beds, borders and it looks great in forest and naturalistic gardens. You may also plant it in shady garden spots. It is also perfectly suited for cultivation in pots and for cut flowers.

Seeds of the purple Chinese houses should be sown directly to the permanent site when the spring is in full swing. This species may also be grown from seedlings prepared indoors early in spring. In that case it will start to bloom a couple of weeks earlier. Recommended spacings between the plants are 20 x 25 cm. Chinese purple houses may grow in full sun, but will also handle partial shade. It prefers fertile soil with slightly acidic reaction. It is also crucial that the soil is permeable, yet retains water. Plants need to be watered in drought periods.

Each package contains 0.5 g of purple Chinese houses seeds. Growing instructions and the sow-by date are included in the package information.

• Weight: 0.5 g
• Height: up to 30 cm
• Use: Ornamental - flower beds, borders
• Flowering period: June - August
• Flower colour: White-purple
• Vegetation form: annual
• Foliage: decussate, dented
• Site: sunny or partially shady; fertile, permeable soil with slightly acidic reaction