How to Grow Laurentia
'Avante Garde Pink' from Seed
A haze of small starry pink flowers over fine, ferny foliage, from early summer to the frosts with no deadheading. Lightly scented in the evening, and made for pots.
Laurentia covers itself in clouds of small, star-shaped flowers held just above fine, almost ferny leaves. 'Avante Garde Pink' is a clear soft pink, and from a distance the plant reads as a haze of colour rather than individual blooms.
It flowers from early summer until the frosts without any deadheading, and it has a light scent that is most noticeable in the evening. That makes it one of the best annuals for a pot by a door or a seat. Beyond a warm start under cover, it asks for very little.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Half-hardy annual
Sowing Time
Feb to Apr, under cover
Flowering
June to October
Position
Full sun, good drainage
Best For
Pots and containers
Difficulty
2 out of 5, easy
Understanding the Plant
Laurentia is sold under the botanical name Isotoma axillaris, and 'Avante Garde Pink' is an F1 hybrid. It is a tender plant from Australia, grown here as a half-hardy annual, and it forms a neat, rounded mound that suits containers.
Because it is an F1 hybrid, seed saved from the plants will not come true, so buy fresh seed each year for the same results.
The sap can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves when handling plants, and keep them away from children and pets.
Plant it where you sit
The scent is gentle and strongest in the evening. A pot beside a bench, doorway or patio table is where you will enjoy it most.
When & How to Sow
Sow indoors from February to April. The seed is tiny and needs light to germinate, and it can be slow, so an early start helps.
Be patient
Laurentia seedlings are small and slow at first. Keep the tray warm and evenly moist, and they speed up once they have a few true leaves.
Surface sow. Scatter seed over damp seed compost without covering. Keep at 18 to 21°C under a clear lid. Seedlings usually appear in two to three weeks.
Prick out carefully. Move seedlings into small pots or modules once they are large enough to handle, and grow on in good light.
Plant out after frost. Harden off and plant into pots or borders from late May to June, around 20 to 25cm apart, in full sun and free-draining soil or compost.
Growing On Tips
Sun and drainage
Give it full sun and free-draining compost. It dislikes sitting in wet soil.
Made for pots
Its neat, rounded habit suits containers, window boxes and the edge of raised beds.
Occasional water
Water when the compost starts to dry. Established plants cope well with short dry spells.
No deadheading
Flowers keep coming all season without any tidying.
Wear gloves
The sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when planting or trimming.
Evening scent
Place pots near seating to enjoy the light fragrance after sunset.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Seed not germinating | Covered, too cold or dried out | Surface sow, keep at 18 to 21°C and evenly moist. |
| Seedlings slow to grow | Normal in early stages | Keep warm and bright; growth speeds up after a few weeks. |
| Plants yellowing or rotting | Waterlogged compost | Use free-draining compost and pots with drainage holes. |
| Skin irritation after handling | Sap from stems and leaves | Wear gloves and wash hands after handling. |
| Saved seed gives different plants | F1 hybrid | Buy fresh seed each year for consistent plants. |
When to Expect Flowers
Plants sown in late winter and planted out after the frosts start flowering in June and carry on without a break until the first frosts in autumn.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow under cover | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🌸 Flowering |
Plant Specifications
A haze of starry pink for pots
Sow early under cover, plant into a sunny pot after the frosts, and enjoy scented pink stars from June to the first frost with no deadheading.
Shop Laurentia Avante Garde Pink Seeds →