Attractive, showy plants ideal for growing in rockeries or containers. Dense rosettes of foliage will produce flamboyant flowers in shades of rose-red, pink, salmon and orange.

Protect plants from winter wet.

Height: 15-30cm (6-12in)

Sowing time: January to April.

Prechill seed for 3 weeks.

Sow seed on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite. After sowing, seal container inside a polythene bag and place the container and bag into a refrigerator (not freezer) for 3 weeks. After this cold period place the container to 10-15C (50-60F) until germination, which can take 1-3 months. Examine container regularly and carefully transplant individual seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. If germination has not occurred within this period, then repeat the cycle as shown above.

Grow young plants on in a cold frame before planting out the following spring 30cm (12in) apart in rich, light well-drained soil containing plenty of gravel, or into containers in full sun.

A collar of gravel around the plants will help against winter wet.