A highly versatile, aristocratic border plant. The fleshy blue-green leaves with white mottling, spiral up the stem, transforming themselves into tighter packed, sea blue bracts – and then the finale – small clusters of rich purple/blue tubular, nodding flowers, which are cream inside and loved by bees. As an evergreen, Mediterranean native, give some protection during hard winters. Height: 60-75cm (24-30in).Sow in spring 1.5mm (1/16in) deep in a good seed compost. Make sure the compost is moist but not wet and seal inside a polythene bag until germination which usually takes 5-21 days at 21C (70F). The seed can also be sown in mid to late spring where it is to flower and covered to a depth of 3mm (1/8in).Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into boxes, spacing them 5cm (2in) apart. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 1-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost 15cm (6in) apart in full sun and ordinary well-drained soil.