An easily grown and very tolerant plant, it succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position. Intolerant of heavy clay. Does well in semi-shade. Prefers a rather poor slightly acid soil. A very ornamental and cold-hardy plant, it tolerates temperatures down to about -25°c[1,187]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. Plants are pollinated by humming birds in the wild. Most species in this genus are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically. However, they are very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and so it becomes difficult to keep a species true to type if more than one is grown in the garden.

Flowers - raw. Sweet and delightful. Rich in nectar, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden. Root. These reports possibly refer to the root being chewed for its medicinal virtues. Caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.

Rocky, wooded or open slopes and sometimes in swamps.