• This charming European native is an extremely popular plant and a familiar sight in the spring garden. It is widely cultivated and prized for it's long lasting early spring blooms. Perfect for use in small beds, edging, borders and rock gardens where it can be interplanting with spring bulbs. It makes an excellent companion for pansies and can also be used window boxes, alpine troughs or other containers.
• Easy to grow from seed, they grows only 15 to 20cm (6-8in) high forming a low cushion of evergreen leaves which bloom in either in sun or part shade. They are highly attractive to bees and butterflies and come at a time when their nectar is very much appreciated!
• Season: Biennial Bloom Time: May to July Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium UK zone: 4 USDA zone: 4 - 8 Indoors: Sow in pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Keep at a temperature of between 15-20°C (59-68°F). 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 the seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays to grow on. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out (after October for winter flowering). Plant 15cm (6in) apart.
• Outdoors: Plant seeds outdoors in the open ground or in a cold frame from mid summer to early autumn in soil enriched with compost. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil and keep moist until seedlings are established. Protect seedlings with a light mulch of straw until frost danger is past.

This charming European native is an extremely popular plant and a familiar sight in the spring garden. It is widely cultivated and prized for it's long lasting early spring blooms. Perfect for use in small beds, edging, borders and rock gardens where it can be interplanting with spring bulbs. It makes an excellent companion for pansies and can also be used window boxes, alpine troughs or other containers.