A glorious and choice border plant which will grace the garden with its bright scarlet, tubular-like flowers. Pendulous, rich blooms borne on tall, slender spikes of green and red, with sword shaped blue-green leaves. Particularly valuable as it starts flowering in August and looks wonderfully fresh and bright when all around is starting to fade. Makes a stunning cut flower. Flowers late summer. Height 90-120 cm (3-4ft.).

Sow late winter-mid spring on the surface of a good seed compost just covering the seed with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Germ. 14-30 days at 15-18C (60-65 F). Don't exclude light, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful.

When large enough to handle, transplant to boxes or 7.5cm (3in) pots, and grow on in cooler conditions. When well grown gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions and plant out late spring after all risk of frost has passed 30cm (12in) apart in full sun and well drained soil.

To treat as a perennial, cut stems to ground level in autumn and cover with bracken, cloche or similar.