Greek

Balsam - an annual plant with delicate sapphire-blue flowers, growing 30 to 80 cm tall, that can become a bright accent both in garden beds and containers. Its stems are branched, covered with stiff hairs, and its leaves are pinnate at the base and narrow, thorny along the stem. Flowers appear in large quantities in July-August (sometimes as early as June), with a diameter of 2.5–5 cm, attracting pollinating insects.

For growing, a sunny area with permeable soil that is weeded regularly is recommended. Seeds can be sown in autumn or spring; autumn sowing leads to earlier flowering but requires mulching. When planting in a greenhouse, March dates are preferable. Plants are arranged in rows: distance between plants is 15 cm, and between rows is 30 cm.

Balsam is drought-resistant and easy to grow even in small pots, making it a popular choice for balconies and terraces. Besides its decorative value, the plant is nectar-producing: cut bouquet flowers retain a rich hue for a long time. Seeds are sold in 1 g packets, and their use covers both decorative growing and harvesting cut flowers.