Silene nigrescens
25 seeds per packet.
A very rare plant in cultivation, native to Kashmir, Burma and south-western China, that grows on open slopes, screes and rock ledges. Produces rosettes of 2 to 4 mm wide, linear foliage and stems that carry unusual, large, white, spherical calyces with prominent ribs strikingly picked out in deep brown-purple. Plants are short lived but will produce plenty of seeds and will self-seed when happy. Flowering May. Height 25 cm. Sun to part shade in moisture retentive but well-drained soil.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sow from March to June. Cover seed thinly, press in gently and keep top of compost from drying out. Keep pot warm at 15 to 20°C until germination, then move to somewhere cooler.
Carefully prick out seedlings when they have developed true leaves and are large enough to transplant to individual pots to grow on.