code: 874
Internally pollinated seeds are also sometimes produced later
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant Classification: Hardy biennial Hardy annual
Minimum Height: 15 cm
Maximum Height: 30 cm
Packet Content(approx.): 10
This curious and most unusual little gem from the Himalayas grows a spreading cushion upon which appear a succession of black-eyed deep pink flowers in spring and early summer. Internally pollinated (cleistogamous) seeds are also sometimes produced later, but it absolutely must be planted out as a young plant, or cleistogomous seeds will begin to appear before the flowers form.
Sowing advice:
For best results, sow seeds immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. However, we sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, and often wait for spring before emerging regardless of when they are sown. But spring sowing will obviously give them a full season of growth if successful germination occurs.
Habitats
Found in the temperate and sub-tropical zones of the Himalayas at an elevation of 300 – 1,800 metres. Moist shady places at elevations of 900 – 2400 metres in Nepal[272].
Range
Africa to E. Asia – China to the Himalayas.
