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Is it difficult to grow from seed ?  Or am I better off buying ready established plants . I believe they can have different colour leaves ...and will they survive the winter ?

Carol Klein was growing them last Friday, perhaps it's on iPlayer.

Bit surprised this plant hasn't been banned - watch you're not raided by special branch if you send off for some seed.

I was amazed to see them growing in containers at Tatton park in the courtyard.

Have been growing them from seed for years, very easy and germinate like Bananas - heat and moisture.  I used to buy the seed in bulk from the US very cheaply but now grow less numbers so watch out for the seed in the seed sales - I think I bought 'Eden Project Seeds' last year of them for 50p

Normally mine get to 6 feet in a seaon, I think I grow the variety Impala.  Just dont leave those seeds (beans) around the kitchen!

I,m sure that many of the plants we grow are poisonous and we dont know it ...such as Foxgloves.  I think that with this one ,you just cut the flowers off to stop the beans being produced if you,re worried .   About sowing them ...it seems that some say sow early and some say sow in May....which I think is quite late . Confused .    ???

I have never got them as far as producing beans - season is never long enough for me.  I wouldnt sow in May unless I wanted Bonsai Ricinus, I would sow in March when light levels are more in balance with the heat I give them.

Lots of plants are poisonous, best thing is not to eat them.

Yes and the flowers look too beautiful to cut off !  It would be good to save the seeds for the next year too .  Are they really more of an indoor plant  ?

Treat as an annual unless you plan to bring them indoors over winter. Definitely won't survive a winter outside.

To be fair they will get to six foot easily in a season as long as you sow them early enough.