A delightful genus from southern Africa with fowers much like small snapdragons. It is composed largely of annual species which tend to have large showy flowers, often horned and in unusual colour combinations. Seed of these is well worth seeking out and many are winter growers from the western cape and northwards and as such are well suited to our south west climate.

The perennial species are to my knowledge all found in more easterly, summer rainfall regions, often at cooler, higher altitude, though in the garden they have proved very adaptable and tolerate considerable summer heat and dryness but are at their best during the cooler months of winter and spring when they are unsurpassable for shear flower power. In the wild they tend to have smaller flowers in a more subdued and limited colour range but after many years of breeding and selection, and with some influence from the brightly coloured annuals they can now be found in nearly all colours of the spectrum, from deep purpley blues through red, pink, white, yellow and every colour in between with many having two toned flowers and some even possess a lovely gardenia-like scent which can waft around the garden on a warm spring day. It is these hybrids that have recently and deservedly found their way into our gardens.


Perennial forms are easily grown in well drained soil where they will seed charmingly around, though to keep them true to colour and name they need regular propagation by cuttings or layers which is easily achieved. Individual plants tend to persist no more than a couple of years but as they are very quick growing and reach flowering size within a few weeks this is of little consequence.

Dead head regularly to promote flowering and or reduce seeding.