A hardy Cactus! With some winter care this will transform your borders with its unusual tropical appearance. Spreading plants produce pads with few spines and bright yellow blooms when older. In favourable conditions, may also produce prickly pear fruit!

Soak March to April in warm water for 12 hours before sowing. Sow seed on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Do not cover the seed. Place in a propagator or warm place, and keep at a constant temperature of around 20-25C (68-77F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination can take 1-6 months.

When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3 inch) pots or trays of gritty, cactus compost. Gradually acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12 inches) apart.

For best results, provide a sharply drained, gritty, humus-rich soil in full sun with some winter protection. Can also be grown in containers of standard cactus potting mix. Feed with liquid fertiliser every 3 weeks during summer, reduce watering during winter. Plants may also 'deflate' during winter.