Why do I love this plant? First of all, it blooms in the middle of winter! And it will stay in bloom through out most of the spring. The flowers fade once we start to sustain some hot weather, usually around May. The glossy and attractive foliage remains in the place the entire year. Surprisingly it does not require much water during the heat of the summer. This must be it's period of dormacy, because just before it blooms again, right after Christmas it multiplies and replenishes it's own self. I have divided this one many times and given starts to friends. I don't think it was crazy about the drought and the heat last summer, it produced the least amount of new growth ever this year. But it seems healthy, and it survived just fine.
This plant is also deer resistant, and grows in a lightly shaded border. The main thing about it is placing it in the environment it wants, with fairly rich soil. Zones 3-8, and named Perennial of the Year, 2005. Get one, you can't go wrong!
