Rosemary Ward, of Gardening Which?, looks at what needs to be done in the garden this month

Nicotiana

There's a nicotiana, or tobacco plant, for most garden situations.

Happy in full sun or light shade, they can be used in containers, for bedding out, or in drifts in a mixed border.

For a recent Gardening Which? trial we raised 25 varieties from seed to find the pick of the crop.

Most varieties grew to 45cm to 80cm - often taller than claimed on the packet. Colours range from white through many shades of pink, plus a vivid, lime-green.

We found 'Perfume Mixed' from Suttons the best performer with a good mix of colours, and 'Lime Green' from Unwins also did very well. Of the remainder, widely available 'Domino' was as good as any.

We found only a few dwarf varieties, 30cm to 40cm tall, and the best of these was 'Havana Mixed', from Browns or Thompson & Morgan.

Taller varieties, reaching 85cm to 140cm are more likely to be white or pastel pinks. Large-flowered 'Fragrant Cloud' from Thompson & Morgan was the best of the white varieties, and had a good scent, especially in the evening. Of the pink and white mixtures both 'Evening Fragrance Mixed' (Suttons) and widely available 'Scentsation Mixed' put on an elegant, perfumed display.

For something different, we also liked the widely available 'Tinkerbell' which has a very dainty appearance and unusual flowers that are lime green outside and rich, pinky-red inside.

If you can't find the varieties you want in the shops, here's the seedsmens' contact numbers: DT Brown 0845 166 2275, Suttons 0870 220 0606, Thomson & Morgan 01473 695225, Unwins 01480 443395.

Jobs of the week

* Collect all your packets of seed together and arrange them order of sowing

* Sow perennials you want to flower this year, annual climbers and slow-growing bedding such as pelargoniums and begonias

* Prune out plain green shoots from variegated evergreeens

For inspirational ideas coupled with reliable, research-based information subscribe to Gardening Which? For your free trial issue call Freephone 0800 252 100 quoting code G_CC06, or visit www.gwfreetrial.co.uk.

Payment details will be requested for use when your free trial ends.