The real Slim Shady.

Put me in the shade – just keep me from frost!

No matter what you do, you can't really go wrong with me. Nevertheless, here're a few do’s and don’ts. I am most comfortable in a shady or partially shady place. Never put me in blazing sun, please. You can be my hero – but only if you protect my flowers from the first frosts of late-autumn and after winter from the early-spring frosts.

Tips & tricks
for garden plantings

Plant me in a sheltered shady place – I love places to the north.
Give me food! I go for a humic rich soil.
The smaller ones in the front, please! Who doesn't know? I'm a dainty one of only 20 cm in height, so you best plant me in the foreground (e.g. in front of full-shade perennials).
Hardiness zone 7-8

Tips & tricks
for container plantings

I like it shady – Place me in full or partial shade.
It's best if you use compost-based potting soil. My favourite is a weak acidic soil mix with good water holding capacity and also good drainage.
Please use a container with a drainage layer and hole to avoid oversaturation.

Tips & tricks
for indoor plant care

Water me regularly, but remember to avoid waterlogged conditions.
I prefer a bright place, but not in blazing sun.
Remove any dead flowers and wilted leaves.

I'm a very slow grower, don’t leave me to get overgrown by other plants.

Get to know my best buddies here.

Companion plants

Do you still have questions on how to take care of me?

Find my answers here.

How often and how much to water me

It's all about the right balance! Don't allow me to get dry or waterlogged.

How to get me through the winter

Since most of my companion plants are leafless in winter and don’t provide me with any shade, sun, along with frost, is an issue in the cold time of year. In both cases, providing me with a cover of for example spruce twigs or fallen leaves will help. One of my countless super talents is to die back completely and make myself invisible in winter (it's magic, I know!). So it may be a good idea to mark my position. This will ensure that you don't inadvertently hurt me in spring as you work the ground. In a container, I also need winter protection, of course. In severe frost, it is best to wrap the container with bubble wrap or jute fabric. Horticulture fleece is also suitable.

How to help me stay healthy

Sorry, I need to get a little technical here. Like all plants, I want to be protected from slugs and snails and aphids. However, my main enemy in the flower bed is the vine weevil (which is not as cute a creature as its name might suggest). It is most efficiently controlled by nematodes. Nematodes are tiny organisms that bore their way into the beetle's larvae and pupa and kill them. April/Mai and August/September are the months to apply nematodes. Ask at your favourite garden centre which products to use. Very damp, waterlogged situations bear the danger of encouraging infestation with grey mould (Botrytis). Because of this, it is essential that you use a well-draining substrate, especially if you plant me in a container.

How to feed me adequately

I generally need a medium amount of food. I'll be happy if you just give me some slightly acidic organic fertiliser each spring.

What about removing old leaves

I die back in winter. You can remove my flowers once they have faced and turn brown.

How to propagate me

I self-seed freely in the flower bed if you don't remove my dead flowers. In spring, you can propagate me by dividing the rosettes.

I will stand
by you forever!

Cheesy, I know, but very
durable and low-care - that's me.