Quick Guide: spring/ summer, hardy, full sun, height:7.5cm/3in, width: 15cm/6in

Erinus alpinus is one of those cheerful perennial plants that commends itself to the gardener by giving great rewards in return for almost no attention. Once established in a sunny position on the rock garden or a dry wall, it flowers for weeks, self seeds freely to produce new plants after its short life is done, and as an evergreen gives year-round cover. The tiny, star-shaped flowers are bright pink.

GROWING Plant out seedlings in spring, in well-drained, poor ,oil in a sunny position. Trim lightly after flowering.

PROPAGATION Scatter the seed in spring where it is to grow. Most named forms come true.

VARIETIES `Albus', white; `Dr Hanaele', crimson; `Mrs Charles Boyle', coral pink.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Generally trouble-free.