Height: 5 feet

Position: Sun or Partial Shade

Germination: Easy

Aftercare: Care Required

Description: Create a tropical took in the garden. These easy to grow shrubby plants, are surprisingly hardy and suitable lor borders or grown as a pot plant. Large hand-shaped, glossy foliage is accompanied by branching heads of white flowers in autumn, often followed by black fruits.

Sowing Instructions: Sow March to April in pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or warm place, and keep at a constant temperature of between 15-20C (59-68F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination can take 1-3 months.

Growing Instructions: When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3 inch) pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 1.2m (4 feet) apart.

Aftercare Instructions: For best results, provide a moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Can also be grown in containers of good, soil-based potting mix. Give a balanced liquid feed monthly during the summer. Water plants sparingly during winter and give frost protection in cooler regions.