A rosette-forming semi-evergreen which can be grown as a biennial or short-lived perennial with wrinkled, dark green leaves. Purple-red buds open to white flowers flushed with purple and red in late spring to early summer
0.5-1 metres
0.5-1 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow in full sun in light, non-acidic, well-drained soil: will tolerate shallow chalky soils, dry soils, and poor soils, but will need staking in richer soils, and will not tolerate wet soils
Propagate by root cuttings in late winter; because it is rather short-lived, propagate new plants regularly
Deadhead the flowering stem
May be susceptible to figwort weevil and by mullein moth but generally pest-free
May be susceptible to powdery mildews