Usually considered the most horticulturally desirable of the bunch, this is grown as much for the fabulous pleated unfurling foliage in spring as for the branched inflorescences of deep blackish-red flowers. Height 1.8 to 2m in this exceptional form. For retentive soil in semi-shade, though in cooler regions full sun is fine. Very slow to raise from seed, these are already many years old!