Babiana are tender perennials and won’t tolerate frost. They are best started off in a greenhouse in the spring and protected from freezing winter conditions.

— Pot up in individual 9cm pots or cell trays between March and May and grow them on in a cool greenhouse. They can be transplanted outside from May onwards. Alternatively, you can plant them directly into patio containers to grow on in a greenhouse in spring, or you can plant them straight outside in borders in May.

— Plant the corms around 10-15cm deep in borders or pots.

— Space the bulbs around 10-15cm apart in borders, or closer together (5-8cm) in pots.

— When planting outdoors, choose a sheltered position in full sun with free-draining soil.

— If planting in patio containers, use a free-draining compost such as multipurpose.

— Water-in after planting and continue to water regularly when in growth.

— Allow the soil to become almost dry between watering. Don’t allow dormant bulbs to sit in wet, soggy and cold soil.

— Cut back flower stems to 3cm above ground level in autumn. Move containers with Babiana into a frost-free location for winter. Bulbs planted in borders should be lifted and stored in a cool but frost-free place until the following spring.