Free flowering with large round heads of true blue flowers growing into a thick established clump. Truly hardy. Bold, attractive bulbous plants for sheltered borders, tubs, containers etc. Elegant strap shaped leaves and bunches of blue flowers on 2-3ft long sterns. The dried seed head can be used for winter decoration. There is considerable evidence that these hybrids are really hardy in many parts of the British Isles, particularly where good drainage is possible. They flower freely in their second year and generally make very good garden plants, growing into a thick established clump. Flowers mid/late summer.

Sow from late winter to spring in a good seed compost just covering the seed. Keep soil damp but not wet. Sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful. Germination usually takes 1-3 months at 15-18C (60-65F).

When seedlings are large enough to handle transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots and later into 13cm (5in) pots and overwinter in a frost free greenhouse or coldframe. The following spring gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost 5cm (2in) deep and 38-45cm (15-18in) apart in a sunny spot on fertile well drained soil.

In extra cold areas protect from autumn to spring with a 15-23cm (6-9in) layer of coarse sand.