Deep orange-red flowers with a suede texture and a bright gold eye, on a compact plant at 60 to 90cm. The stems are hollow and covered in a soft downy fuzz; it is one of the most tactile things in the garden. It holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
If you want butterflies, this is close to the best plant you can grow. Red Admirals, Peacocks and Painted Ladies come to it in numbers through August and September, and they feed on it continuously rather than passing through.
It builds fast, making a substantial hedge-like mass of foliage topped with dozens of flowers in a single season, which is exactly what a border needs in August when the early summer plants are going over. It is half-hardy and wants real heat, so do not put it out until the frosts are finished and the soil has warmed.
For cutting, be aware the stems are hollow and will collapse if they are not conditioned. Cut in early morning, fill the stem with water and stand it deep for several hours before arranging.
