The perfect plant for that hot, dry spot in your borders or rockeries. Dwarf, shiny, deep green, almost metallic-looking succulent foliage bursts into bloom from mid May.

Plants are covered with spectacular lilac-purple flowers flowers with large white centres, flowering until the first frost.

Loved by butterflies.

Height: 10-15cm (4-6in)

Sowing time: March to April.

Sow seed in pots or trays of moist seed compost, do not cover seed. Place in a propagator or warm place, and keep at a temperature of between 18-21C (65-70F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination will usually take 10-21 days. When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.

Gradually acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 23-30cm (9-12in) apart. For best results, provide a light, well-drained soil in full sun.

Before the autumn frosts, lift the plants, pot them up and over winter indoors on a well-lit windowsill or frost-free greenhouse. Keep the compost just barely moist until spring, when they can be planted out again.