Plant of the week

THEIR flowers are almost over but this plant’s glory is its foliage. No species has such variable leaves, almost all marbled in patterns of grey, pewter or deep green. Commonly called sowbread, in the wild it grows in woodland and scrub, especially where the soil is free-draining and rich in leafmould.

In a garden, grow it under trees, at path edges, among shrubs or in pots.

Mature plants seed freely, developing pink or white flowers from September. Leaves emerge in mid-October, staying fresh until late May.

Buy as seed, growing plants or dry tubers. Sow seed on general purpose potting compost in a pot and cover with a thin layer of coarse grit.

Keep cold in winter and expect germination next spring.