Gloriosa are tender perennials and should be kept away from frost. They must be started off indoors or in a greenhouse in the spring and will need to be lifted in autumn for winter storage.

— Plant between 1-3 tubers into 10-14” pots with multipurpose compost between March and May and grow them on indoors or in a heated greenhouse. You can also plant the tubers directly outside into borders or patio containers in May.

— Plant the bulbs lengthways as a depth of around 5cm deep. One end of the tuber should be pointed or pink – this is the growing tip.

— Space the bulbs around 15cm apart from each other, or at a further spacing in borders.

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

— Water-in after planting continue to water regularly when in growth. Allow the soil to become almost dry between watering. Don’t allow the tubers to sit in wet soil.

— Cut back stems to 3cm above soil level in autumn before the first frost. Move containers with Gloriosa 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.